Morocco - Country Partnership Framework FY2026-2035 Annex 6 - Expanding Women’s Economic Inclusion

Jul 19, 2026

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Annex 6 details the context, theory of change, and outcomes under the Morocco Country Partnership Framework (FY2026-2035) focused on expanding women’s economic inclusion. It addresses low female labor force participation, high unemployment among educated women, and constraints on the demand and supply sides, including job creation limits, transport insecurity, restricted childcare access, and persistent unpaid care burdens. It outlines three coordinated pathways and multipronged instruments, covering firm productivity, territorial connectivity, and improved human capital via health, skills, and social protection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

Context

Theory of Change

Outcome 1

Outcome 2

Outcome 3

Multipronged Operationalization

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Annex 6: Expanding Women’s Economic Inclusion Annex 1. CONTEXT | Female labor force participation in Morocco is low, at only 19 percent, and has declined over the past two decades despite notable progress in women’s education and health outcomes (WBG, 2024). Unemployment is high among educated women. Many women who previously worked in unpaid or informal agricultural jobs have become inactive rather than moving into new employment opportunities (CGJR, forthcoming) . On the demand side, limited job creation reduces options for women, particularly in higher-productivity sectors. On the supply side, women encounter several challenges: inadequate and unsafe transportation limits women's mobility, and access to affordable childcare is restricted, and the unequal distribution of unpaid care responsibilities remains a major obstacle (WBG, 2024) . Gaps persist in financial inclusion and access to productive assets (WBG, 2025c ; IFC, 2023) . These challenges are compounded by restrictive social norms that influence household decisions and labor market behavior (WBG, 2025d) . 2. THEORY OF CHANGE | The CPF promotes a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach through three interconnected pathways designed to simultaneously lift constraints and foster more enabling conditions for women’s economic inclusion. First, improving firm productivity and competitiveness (Outcome 1) will expand job creation, including in sectors where women participate both as workers and entrepreneurs. Second, investments in infrastructure and territorial development will reduce spatial and mobility constraints, through improved transport, access to services, and more inclusive local development (Outcome 2), enabling women to access economic opportunities. Third, strengthening skills, health, and social protection systems, including childcare (Outcome 3), will support women’s ability to enter, remain in, and progress in the labor market. 3. OUTCOME 1 |The CPF will expand women’s access to economic opportunities by enhancing firm growth, productivity, and access to finance. Reforms will improve the overall business environment, while women-led firms will be supported with financial and non-financial services (Jobs & Growth DPO, Jobs Roadmap PforR) . Targeted measures for digital and financial inclusion will ensure women benefit from the digital economy (Digital Acceleration PforR). The CPF will also target women's participation in high-potential sectors, such as agri-food value chains (AgriConnect), aquaculture and coastal tourism (Blue Economy program) . 4. OUTCOME 2 | The CPF will address territorial and connectivity barriers that restrict women's access to economic activities. Expanding connectivity and enhancing security directly address these limitations (CasaHub), and future urban transport projects will further facilitate women’s access to labor markets. Moreover, territorial development investments will support the expansion of economic opportunities in regions where women currently have limited prospects (Nador Economic Corridor, Integrated Territorial Development Program) . 5. OUTCOME 3 | The CPF will support improved and more equitable human capital accumulation and use by investing in social protection, health, and skills development. Investments in health and social protection will prioritize inclusive services for the most vulnerable (Human Capital DPF, Social Safety Nets Project) . Efforts will specifically help women gain market-relevant skills and make the transition from education to employment (Education Support Program, Digital Acceleration PforR) . Access to quality childcare will be expanded, including by enabling more private investments in the sector (ECD II, Jobs & Growth DPO) . 6. MULTIPRONGED OPERATIONALIZATION | The CPF will deploy a range of instruments to accelerate women’s economic inclusion, with the Maghreb Facility for Women’s Economic and Social Inclusion as the str

FAQs

Why does the annex focus on women’s economic inclusion in Morocco?

Female labor force participation is low and has declined despite progress in education and health outcomes. Unemployment remains high among educated women, while women face constraints that limit both job access and labor market progression.

How does the framework promote women’s economic inclusion?

It uses three interconnected pathways: boosting firm productivity and competitiveness to expand job creation, reducing spatial and mobility barriers through infrastructure and territorial development, and strengthening skills, health, and social protection systems including childcare.

What are the key instruments used to operationalize the approach?

The CPF deploys a set of instruments, supported by upstream work to identify gender entry points at the project level. It also leverages gender analysis in core diagnostics and uses frameworks to address GBV risks, backed by the Maghreb Facility as a strategic backbone.

Jul 19, 2026

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