» » It may be better to claim to be a married couple rather than just friends (the latter concept
is usually greeted with disbelief).
» » If you are a Moroccan woman (or Moroccan in appearance) travelling with your non-
Moroccan spouse, it is advisable to carry a copy of your marriage certificate. Premarital sex for
Muslims is forbidden and Morocco has a stern attitude to prostitution.
» » For the same reason, if your partner is thought to be Muslim you may meet with some
uncomfortable situations at hotel reception desks. This is less of an issue in larger cities.
Transport
» » Try to sit next to a woman on public transport, especially in grands taxis where you’re
squeezed in closely, and on trains, where you could potentially be trapped inside a
compartment.
» » Many women travel in grands taxis without problems, regardless of where they sit, but you
could pay for two seats to get a ride by yourself in the front. It would be considerably more
comfortable.
» » Don’t hitchhike.
Safety Precautions
» » Crimes against women remain extremely rare. More common is verbal abuse from both
men and women.
» » In places that have seen a large influx of tourists in recent years, problems can occur.
» » We’ve received reports of physical harassment at music festivals in Essaouira.
» » Women travellers should take a few sensible precautions:
Never compromise your safety for the sake of economy.
Don’t wander about alone at night, as there’s an attitude that all ‘good women’ should be at
home after dark; take a taxi.
Don’t walk alone in remote areas such as isolated beaches, forests and sand dunes.
Wearing dark glasses is good for avoiding eye contact, but don’t spend your entire Moroccan
journey hiding behind them.
Don’t react with aggression – it could be returned in kind. A good-humoured non merci or la
shukran (‘no thank you’) is much more effective than abuse.
The key word to use is ‘respect’, a concept that most Moroccans hold dear.
» » A wedding ring may help you avoid unwanted attention – along with a photo of your
‘husband’ and ‘child’. The fact that you’re travelling without them will arouse suspicion, but you
could counter this by saying you’ll be meeting them at your next destination.
» » Many Moroccan men aren’t too concerned whether you’re married or not. They may insist
they’re just being friendly, and might even invite you home to meet their mother.
Work
» » With huge unemployment and a largely out-of-work youthful population, Morocco isn’t fertile
ground for job opportunities.
» » A good command of French is a prerequisite and some Arabic would help.
» » If you secure a position, your employer will have to help you get a work permit and arrange
residency, which can be a long process.
» » There are more volunteering opportunities ( Click here ).