Karamtna - Our dignity

Unmarried mothers and their children find a safe place in the women's shelter run by Frieda's partner organisation INSAF. Through literacy lessons and training courses, the women improve their future prospects and are supported in entering the labour market.

Morocco's social development is lagging behind the country's economic growth. This impairs equal opportunities for the various population groups and in some cases drives them into poverty. In recent years, several national projects have been launched and financed to overcome inequality of opportunity. However, development is slow and the social systems that have been introduced are far from reaching everyone. Even unmarried mothers are usually left without state support. Moroccan society is strongly characterised by religious norms and values. Sexuality outside of marriage is considered a serious breach of the rules and is therefore taboo. As a result, unmarried mothers and their children are ostracised by Moroccan society and are left to fend for themselves.

What is it about?

According to civil society organisations, 50,000 out-of-wedlock births are recorded in Morocco every year. Many of the unmarried mothers come from precarious backgrounds and have little access to education. Due to poverty, marginalisation and sole responsibility for the child, they often suffer from stress and despair, excessive demands, loneliness, low self-esteem and less self-confidence. Maternal depression often leads to psychological stress in their children, which in turn increases the mothers' stress.

However, unmarried mothers and their children are not only discriminated against on a personal level, but also on an institutional level. Family law, for example, does not grant unmarried mothers any specific legal status. This prevents access to child maintenance payments and the recognition of paternity.

What do we do?

The "Karamtna - Our Dignity" project sustainably improves the living conditions of unmarried mothers and their children. As part of the project, mothers and their children are taken into the women's shelter run by Frieda's partner organisation INSAF (Institution Nationale de Solidarité Avec les Femmes en détresse). Together with other women who do not live in the shelter, they receive medical and psychological care as well as legal advice. The women have the opportunity to complete vocational training at INSAF or other training centres. During the day, the children are looked after in a crèche so that the mothers can take advantage of the training programme. In order to improve the situation of the mothers and their children in the long term, discussions are sought with family members and, if desired, family mediation is offered to bring the single mothers and their families closer together again and to stabilise the environment for the children as well.

What are the objectives of the project?

• The situation of unmarried mothers and their children in Moroccan society is improved through individual support, counselling and vocational training for women.

• Unmarried mothers gain better access to the labour market and become financially independent.

• Moroccan society is sensitised to the social reality of unmarried mothers and their children.

What is actually carried out?

• Protection of unmarried mothers and their children in the women's shelter

• Psychological and medical support as well as administrative and legal advice for women

• Literacy classes and three courses for training in hairdressing, tailoring and confectionery

• Training in the use of computers and social networks

• Assistance for women entering the labour market

• Lobbying for the rights of single mothers and their children within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child