# Morocco's First Female Prime Minister > Morocco appoints first female prime minister amid symbolic and practical debates. - Title: Morocco's First Female Prime Minister · Dw | Shortify - Summary: Morocco appoints first female prime minister amid symbolic and practical debates. Morocco's Fatima Zahra Mansouri becomes the country's first female prime… - Keywords: fatima zahra mansouri, morocco, king mohammed vi, authenticity and modernity party, pam, world cup government, moudawana, women's leadership, arab world, family code, youth unemployment, economic reform - Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/morocco-s-first-female-head-of-government-symbol-or-real-reform/a-79521808?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf - Read time: 1 min - Topics: fatima zahra mansouri, morocco, king mohammed vi, authenticity and modernity party, pam, world cup government, moudawana, women's leadership, arab world, family code, youth unemployment, economic reform ## First female head of government Morocco appoints its first female prime minister, Fatima Zahra Mansouri, following September's parliamentary elections. > Morocco's king mohammed vi chose fatima zahra mansouri to be the country's first female prime minister following september's parliamentary elections ## Public reaction Citizens expressed enthusiasm, with some saying a female prime minister would lift spirits and others questioning traditional protocols. > It would be great if we had a female prime minister for a change. She'd lift our spirits a bit ## Symbolic significance Mansouri's appointment is the third woman to lead a government in the Arab world and could accelerate women's political representation. > Mansouri's appointment makes her the third woman to lead a government in the arab world ## Traditional concerns Some locals question how she would navigate official events where tradition dictates only men attend. > People are saying that a nation cannot succeed if a woman is in charge, even if she's only half in charge ## King's role Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with the king holding ultimate executive power, though elections are held. > Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, so elections are held but the king has ultimate executive power ## Political context Mansouri, a former mayor of Marrakesh and minister of planning, was chosen over Fouzi Lekjaa, head of Morocco's football federation. > The king chose fatima zahra mansouri, minister of planning and mayor of marrakesh, over fouzi lekjaa, head of morocco's football federation and budget minister ## Symbolic impact Experts say Mansouri's appointment has important symbolic value, potentially changing attitudes toward women in leadership. > There is no doubt that mansouri's appointment has important symbolic value, observers say ## Regional context Two Tunisian women previously became heads of Arab governments, with a 2022 survey showing improved attitudes toward women in power. > Two tunisian women, najla bouden and current prime minister sara zaafarani, became heads of an arab government before mansouri's appointment ## Policy focus Mansouri's party, PAM, has limited policies on women's issues, including increasing female economic activity and vulnerable widows' pensions. > Pam said it wanted to increase female economic activity, increase vulnerable widows' pensions and ensure better obstetric care ## Family code Morocco's family code, or moudawana, has not been updated since 2004 and sets rules on marriage, property, and domestic violence. > The moroccan family code, or moudawana, sets rules on all-important aspects of moroccan women's lives like custody of children, divorce, property rights, marriage, polygamy and domestic violence. It has not been updated since 2004 ## Realistic expectations Mansouri is seen as a pragmatist who may navigate protocol but faces challenges in implementing major reforms. > Mansouri is unlikely to initiate a major change from past politics, freudenreich suggested ## Next steps The real question is how civil society and citizens will hold political parties accountable for advancing women's rights. > The real question is what civil society organizations, ngos and citizens will do with this opportunity ## Key takeaway Morocco's Fatima Zahra Mansouri becomes the country's first female prime minister, a symbolic step that may accelerate women's political representation but faces challenges in implementing meaningful reforms.