Episode 6: When Love Blinds Us- Women and Unpaid Domestic Labor in Morocco

Hello, dear listeners! I hope you are all doing well. I am excited to finally share with you a conversation I promised you weeks ago about Moroccan mothers, women’s labor, and the changing expectations of women in Moroccan society.

My guest today is Ustadha Fatima Zahra, my former Arabic teacher and an instructor of Modern Standard Arabic and Darija at the Arab American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) in Meknes, Morocco.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of mothers in Moroccan culture, including the images of Moroccan soccer players embracing their mothers after a match, such as during this summer’s World Cup. Ustadha Fatima Zahra, a working mother, shares her perspective on the expectations placed on Moroccan women, how those expectations shape family life, and how they are changing as more women pursue careers outside the home.

We also explore the idea of domestic work as an expression of love. When cooking, cleaning, caring for children, and managing a household are understood primarily as acts of love and a duty, it can become difficult to recognize them as labor. Finally, we discuss how movements within Moroccan society and government are challenging unpaid domestic labor and calling for greater recognition, including legal rights.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions after listening. To follow the podcast and learn more about my Arabic journey, Darija, and life in Morocco, you can find me on Instagram @salamzinazwina.

Here are some of the important vocabulary that you will be hearing in this week’s episode: 

دور/أدوار- Role/roles

كيساهموا في- They contribute to 

كأس العالم - World cup

كيعنق ماماه و كيبوسها -He hugs his mother and kisses her

رمز- Symbol

الرسول صلى عليه وسلم وصى على الأم قبل الأب 

الجنة تحت أقدام الأمهات -Heaven is under the feet of mothers 

الإنسان خصه يكون مرضي مع الأم دياله- A person has to be in a good relationship with his mother

مقدسة-Holy

الأساس ديال العائلة -The foundation of the family

الأب كيكون مسؤول على ماهو مادي- The father is responsible financially

التربية-  Upbringing 

حتى كيشد التقاعد- Until he retires 

كاتهلا في - She takes care of 

ربة البيت- Housewife or homemaker

ما غديش تفكر في رأسها هي الأولى - She will not think of herself first 

ماشي نيشان- Not directly

مع هاد الجيل كيتبدل - This generation is changing

أفعال أهم من الكلمات-Actions are more important than words, actions speak louder than words

توكّل أولادها الأولين وعاد تأكل هي - She feeds her children before she eats

الحب شي مرات كيعمينا - Love sometimes blinds us 

الاعتراف- Recognition 

مفششين - Spoiled

أنانيين - Selfish

الواجب ديالك- Your duty 

إضافي/ة- Additional 

كيتوقعو هي غتكون حادكة - They expect her to be resourceful and highly skilled in skills related to homemaking  

طلع ليا الدم -My blood went up, or I got really angry/fed up with

إحصائيات - Statistics 

الشقا حتى هو الخدمة - Even housework is work

الخدمة غير مرئية - Invisible labor

الطلاق -Divorce

طلقت- She divorced

رعاية الأطفال- Child Care

بزز عليها  -Complusary, forced on her  

العقلية ديال الناس - The mentality of people

خص يكون التعاون -There has to be cooperation