Although prostitution in Morocco has been illegal since the 1970s[1] it is widespread. In 2015 the Moroccan Health Ministry estimated there were 50,000 prostitutes in Morocco, the majority in the Marrakech area.[2] Prostitutes tend to be Moroccan women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds as well as migrants from sub Saharan Africa, many of whom are victims of human trafficking [3] UNAIDS estimated the figure at 75,000 in 2016.[4]
Many children are vulnerable as adoption laws in Morocco are very rigid and difficult. Morocco's increasing reputation for attracting foreign pedophiles made it sign various international treaties to deal with the problem.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Male prostitution exists but is stigmatised.[11] Health services for Moroccan sex workers include OPALS, an organisation promoting treatments for HIV/AIDS.[8][12][13][14]
Traditionally, women's roles in North African society have been rigidly defined, particularly so with increasing Islamification. Yet the economic and social realities often provide few alternatives to many Moroccan women, and the area has increasingly been seen as permissive to prostitution.[15]