Sex workers all around the globe face judgment and persecution due to their career choice being different and controversial. In Morocco, prostitutes face many battles in their way of making an income to support themselves and their families.
Marrakesh is a popular destination where prostitution exists, despite being illegal.
The Legal and Social Context
Although prostitution in Morocco has been illegal since the 1970s, it still exists. Traditionally, women's roles in North African society have been rigidly defined, particularly so with increasing Islamification. Historically, prostitution was connected to slavery in Morocco. The Islamic Law formally prohibited prostitution.
Morocco is a source, destination, and transit country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking. According to a November 2015 study conducted by the Moroccan government children are exploited in sex trafficking.
Historical Perspective:
During the French colonial rule, prostitution was regulated in Morocco. Authorities were concerned about the spread of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. This time the "Quartiers réservés" or so called red-light districts were set up in which hookers were allowed to work: Bousbir in Casablanca , Moullay Abdullah in Fez , Oukassa in Rabat and Bab el Khemis in Marrakech. Within these RLD´s, prostitutes had to be registered and regular health checks had to be carried out so they could work.
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Outside these quarters, maisons de tolérance (brothels) were set up for the use of Europeans. Some prostitutes worked outside the quartiers réservés. There was frequent police action against these clandestines and they were forced to take a medical test. Those, who were healthy received a warning. If they had a sexually transmitted infection, they were taken to a hospital. On release from the hospital, they were taken to the quartiers réservés.
"Much Loved": A Controversial Film
Nabil Ayouch, a French-Moroccan filmmaker, directed his most controversial film, Much Loved, in 2015.
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In “Much Loved Review - Tackles Sexual Hypocrisy in Morocco with a Battering Ram,” Phil Hoad writes that at the start of Ayouch’s research on this film, he began by interviewing around two-hundred sex workers over the course of eighteen months. Ayouch learned about their backgrounds, why they became prostitutes, and stories of experiences being prostitutes in Morocco, according to “Nabil Ayouch on Much Loved (2015),” on YouTube.
According to Davies H. Kaya in the article, “Exoticism Or Empowerment? the Representation of Non-Normative Women and Prostitution in Nabil Ayouch’s Much Loved,” other than their work, “we are with them when they watch television, bicker, and sleep; we accompany them as they carry out mundane, quotidian tasks, such as going to the hairdressers and visiting family”. These people do the same everyday tasks that everyone else does, including having fun like watching television and having outings other than for work.
Much Loved premiered in Ayouch’s birthplace, France, but was banned in Morocco for its controversial portrayal of females in the country. The film is set in Marrakesh, Morocco which is “well known as a destination for sex tourists from Europe and the Middle East. Prostitution is a pillar of the city’s economy. More than 50 percent of the country’s prostitutes are supporting families, according to a Ministry of Health study conducted in 2012 but released last week,” according to Aida Alami of the New York Times in the article, “A Film on Prostitution Generates an Uproar”.
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In the YouTube VPRO Cinema interview, Ayouch notes that he wanted to create a “portrait of four warriors who are fighting for their existence, their right to exist every day,” rather than a film of prostitutes being objectified, as what usually would happen. He wanted to let their stories be heard because they are also human beings who live very similar lives to us.
The poster for the film "Much Loved"
Controversy and Backlash:
With Much Loved being such a controversial film, discussing topics such as prostitution, women’s rights, and LGBT rights, there has been a large sum of backlash towards the film, director, and even some cast members. The film was banned in Morocco after a few clips had been released, before the actual film was released. Many people who worked on the film received death threats and Loubna Abidar was even assaulted due to her role. Lastly, Nabil Ayouch was charged with making pornographic content.
Family Honor vs. Shame
Another large issue within the traditional views behind prostitution is family honor versus shame. Kaya discusses how women rely on men for a steady income so when they become widowed or orphaned, women turn to prostitution to survive. This is very similar to what Noha has done for her family. She makes money that she then gives to her mother, to help raise her siblings and children.
In one specific scene, her mother does not keep her opinions to herself, saying “Listen to me closely. Do not come to this house again. The neighbors talk about you and about what you do”. Noha’s mother isn’t just ashamed of her daughter, but she also has the burden of her neighbors knowing about her profession, making having her daughter over to her house really difficult.
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Bernhard Venema and Jogien Bakker write that “virginity and chastity are central elements of this honor, so women’s behavior is strictly controlled by having them married off early, veiled, and prevented from playing a role in the public domain”.
LGBT Issues and Prostitution
Along with these traditional views on prostitution, there are also very biased views on same-sex couples in Morocco. The site states that same-sex relations are illegal and punishable with up to three years in jail, with a largely negative public opinion of LGBT people. Prostitution alongside same-sex relationships is a threat to the “traditional values” of some Moroccans, due to the “hate speech from public officials and religious leaders” making it hard to change people’s views.
Ayouch touches upon the subject of LGBT people, once again, in several scenes that include gay prostitutes. It is implied that the four main protagonists are friends with the gay prostitutes, almost removing all stigma behind LGBT people and prostitutes. They are all able to be friendly, including going out to dinner with them and hanging out together back at the apartment.
Marrakech as a Destination
Marrakech is full of prostitutes, female, transexual and male whores. The escorts are mostly found in restaurants and nightclubs, sometimes it is difficult to get from the bar to the toilet without being approached by many people (again, male or female). The standard price for girls is 1000 DH ($100) per night. Most will be between 18 and 30 years old. As far as looks most are 7 to 10. Most will provide BJ at no extra cost.
There is no typical Amsterdam style red-light district in Marrakech. Bab el Khemis in Marrakech was the brothel quarter of Marrakech during the French colonalization. Within this red-light district, whores had to be registered and do regular health checks so they could sell sex.
Table of Prices and Locations
| Location | Details | Price (MAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Afribaba.com | Single session | 300 |
| Afribaba.com | Two sessions | 500 |
| Spa Hamam Massage parlors | One hour massage | 250-350 |
| Spa Hamam Massage parlors | HJ&BJ | 500 (negotiable) |
| Spa Hamam Massage parlors | Sex | 1000 (negotiable) |
There are a lot of street walkers around Jemaa el fna and the Cafe place's around it evening time trying to find customers. They will give you eye and try to get your attention. There are also prostitutes inside and outside of the McDonalds on Route de Casablanca. You can spot them easily. They are girls wearing heavy make up and usually they just sit on the table with one coffee and give you an eye looks.
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tags: #Morocco
