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Women's Empowerment Volunteer Program in Morocco

Women's Empowerment Volunteer Program in Morocco

Interested in being a Women’s Empowerment volunteer in Morocco? International Volunteer HQ’s Women’s Empowerment project empowers volunteers and sharpens their leadership. Volunteers assist with a wide range of learning opportunities for women who may be unemployed, illiterate or otherwise disadvantaged. Women in Morocco suffer great inequalities and volunteers are needed to help them upskill. Volunteers will help women to gain confidence which can boost their independence, job prospects and financial security.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
  • Affordable fees from AU$1131 for 2 weeks
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Educate and enhance women’s job prospects and cultural understanding

  • Delight your senses in Morocco’s markets and kasbahs

  • Stay with a local family and experience daily life in Morocco

Key information

Support women to gain financial independence
Based in community spaces for women
Homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$1131 for 2 weeks
Durations from 2 - 24 weeks
French and Arabic lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who speak French and/or Arabic and are interested in helping to address the challenges of inequality women face in Morocco.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Many women in Morocco suffer from poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. This affects their social standing and, in turn, their children’s education. Since a national directive in 2005, the Moroccan government has been working to improve women’s education and health, and is eager to promote income-generating activities for women. However, volunteers are still needed to help to deliver these goals.

As a Women’s Empowerment volunteer you will help to enable local Moroccan women and young girls to improve their literacy levels in English, French and Arabic, and to provide them with professional development opportunities.

Volunteer tasks can vary but usually involve

  • Running cooking classes
  • Sewing
  • Computer training
  • Offering academic support
  • Occasional childcare
  • Volunteers are requested to share any other skills they master and want to empower women with. For example, Sports, IT, Manual work, etc.

These tasks are dependent on your program duration and language ability. Many of the women this project helps will have little to no English so longer term volunteers who can communicate in French or Arabic are more likely to be able to help effectively.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world. Nearly 60% of women work in the informal economy, which puts them at greater risk of falling into poverty. Education and long-term employment opportunities are key to combating this.

Why do Women's Empowerment volunteering in Morocco with IVHQ?

When you volunteer in Morocco you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving learning opportunities for women
  • Helping women gain and develop skills in a safe place
  • Practicing your French, Arabic and English
  • Gaining a range of volunteer experiences
  • Immersing yourself in Moroccan culture
  • Discovering Morocco’s rich history

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English - and while being able to speak French or Arabic is not a requirement, any language ability you do have will be an asset to your time on the project and make communication with the women easier.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

JG
Juliana Garzon
13 Oct 2023

It is very important to be open to learn and open to hear different opinions than ones that we are used to. In such an experience, you will find yourself once again, you will find what and who really matters in your life, and who you really are! Going with the flow and living in the present moment will make you enjoy every single minute of your experience and you will be able to experience happiness on another level!

...
SC
Sarah Clayton
25 Sep 2023

Do what makes you comfortable and try everything there is to offer. Morocco is super friendly and immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer!

...
KE
Katharina Ebert
31 Aug 2023

Be open towards new cultures and experiences because this is the most intense way to get to know another country!

...
JV
Jamilah Vangarden
08 Aug 2023

Morocco was an experience that I can say I will truly never forget. It was welcoming and warm, and I felt immersed in the culture. I met so many amazing people and visited so many beautiful locations. Teaching English to women was a fulfilling experience, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to help empower them. Morocco was an amazing experience, and I have a rich sense of fulfilment because of it!

...
TS
Teresa Senos Matias
18 Jul 2023

I have a great insight on life in Morocco and gained so much from the local people I met. Be flexible and soak in the local culture. Be respectful of the locals you meet, in particular of your host family.

...
MD
Margaret Davino
14 Jul 2022

My daughter and I taught English to women in Rabat, Morocco, and loved it. The placement was very worthwhile and interesting. We can't say enough good things about our host mom and how she made us feel like a part of her family, and our local volunteer coordinator, who made sure that we were comfortable with everything we did and everywhere we went.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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Volunteer Abroad in Morocco with IVHQ

Location

Rabat is a bustling, beautiful place and the capital city of Morocco. With a vibrant mixture of African, Berber and European cultures, it is a fascinating place to visit. It’s the home of Morocco’s king and his court, a huge number of mosques and monuments, an old Medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wide range of other interesting things to see and do.

While Morocco has made progress towards improving quality of life for its citizens, there is still a huge socioeconomic gap between those with wealth and those without, and a big difference in access to basic necessities in rural and urban areas. Employment can be especially difficult to come by. Volunteers can help address the challenges of inequality and poverty by assisting with a range of projects that aim to continue to develop society and equality in Morocco. Volunteer projects are located in Rabat, Casablanca, Sale, and Mehdia.​​

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Rabat on the Sunday before orientation. After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Rabat International Airport (RBA). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Rabat, Casablanca or Sale (location will depend on proximity to your specific placement). Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Morocco prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at the Rabat Ville Train Station on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our Moroccan team at the volunteer base in Rabat. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Morocco – an introduction to Morocco, Moroccan customs, rules and expectations, language lessons, safety, travel opportunities in Morocco, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Work and break times are dependent on each project and placement. Volunteers taking Arabic or French language lessons spend half the day volunteering and the other half of the day taking language lessons. A typical volunteer day would be as follows

8:00 AM Breakfast at your homestay.
9:00 - 10:00 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements to begin work.
2:00 - 5:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.
8:00 PM Dinner at the homestay.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Rabat and Morocco. In Rabat, you can visit the ancient city ruins of Chellah, learn to surf, treat your senses to the charms of the market stalls in the old Medina, see any of the city’s large number of sacred and religious sites, mosques and monuments, take a traditional steam bath, wander the pretty blue and white streets of the Kasbah des Oudaias, or take in a beautiful garden or art gallery.

Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to destinations, such as Marrakech, Merzouga, Tinghir, Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Tangier, and Gibraltar, Andalusia and Portugal in southern Europe.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a homestay with a local family. It is exciting to stay with a family, as this is an opportunity to learn the Moroccan way of life, meet local people, eat local food, speak the local language (Darija: the Moroccan Arabic dialect) and engage in local customs and traditions. These families receive money from your program fee for support, food and board.

Living is basic, yet still comfortable, and most homestays have electricity and running water. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers, however in some homestays volunteers have their own rooms. It is important to note that Moroccan homes have a shared living environment in which Sdaders - Moroccan couches - are used for sitting and dining during the day and as beds at night.

Bedding is provided, but it is recommended you bring your own towel and toiletries, as well as a sleeping bag if you wish to travel on the weekends.

WiFi is available in the majority of the homestays in Morocco. To keep connected, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone.

Meals

Volunteers in Morocco are served breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Influenced by African, Arab, Moorish and Berber cuisines, Moroccan cooking blends Mediterranean fruits and vegetables with spices. A Moroccan meal often begins with a series of hot and cold salads, followed by a Moroccan stew called tagine, and bread. Lamb and chicken dishes are common, as is couscous topped with meat and vegetables.

The consumption of pork and alcohol are prohibited, as per Muslim dietary restrictions. Drinking mint tea is a daily tradition and bread is eaten with nearly every meal.

Bottled water is readily available in Morocco and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 (approximately AU$8) per week for 2 liters a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please include these in your application.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
2 weeks AU$1129 Equivalent to AU$81/day
3 weeks AU$1474 Equivalent to AU$70/day
4 weeks AU$1818 Equivalent to AU$65/day
5 weeks AU$2163 Equivalent to AU$62/day
6 weeks AU$2507 Equivalent to AU$60/day
8 weeks AU$3196 Equivalent to AU$57/day
10 weeks AU$3709 Equivalent to AU$53/day
12 weeks AU$4222 Equivalent to AU$50/day
16 weeks AU$5223 Equivalent to AU$47/day
20 weeks AU$6217 Equivalent to AU$44/day
24 weeks AU$7210 Equivalent to AU$43/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Morocco generally find US$40 to be sufficient for weekly expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Morocco

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Morocco! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Morocco program.

Arabic Language Lessons
Arabic Language Lessons

Improve your Arabic language skills while volunteering in Morocco.

From AU$425
French Language Lessons
French Language Lessons

Improve your French language skills while volunteering in Morocco.

From AU$425
Arabic Language Lessons
Arabic Language Lessons

Improve your Arabic language skills while volunteering in Morocco.

From AU$425
French Language Lessons
French Language Lessons

Improve your French language skills while volunteering in Morocco.

From AU$425

Affordable Arabic & French Language Lessons

Our local team in Morocco offer Arabic and French lessons to volunteers, which can be organised and paid for in advance through IVHQ. Lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Arabic or French and will be for 2 hours per day Monday through Friday. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons can help you immensely with your day to day volunteer work and communicating with local people.

  • 1 week of lessons (10 hours) – US$265 (approximately AU$425)
  • 2 weeks of lessons (20 hours) – US$535 (approximately AU$858)
  • 3 weeks of lessons (30 hours) – US$800 (approximately AU$1284)
  • 4 weeks of lessons (40 hours) – US$1065 (approximately AU$1709)

Please make a note in your application or contact your IVHQ Program Manager after you have registered for the program if you would like to add language lessons to your Morocco volunteer experience.

Check what's required to visit Morocco

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Rabat
Population 36.47 million
Languages Arabic and Berber
Currency Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Time zone UTC±00:00

Weather and climate

Morocco has a Mediterranean climate that is generally hot and dry for most of the year, with cooler, yet still mild, temperatures and rainfall during the winter months between November and March. Morocco has widely varying terrain and the climate varies greatly throughout the country. Temperatures can be incredibly high in the southern and south eastern desert areas whereas, the temperature drops considerably in the higher lying mountainous areas, even dropping to freezing point at night. In Rabat, temperatures reach an average high of 27°C (80.6°F) in the summer months and an average high of 17°C (62.6°F) in the winter months. Temperatures can drop to an average of 7°C (44.6°F) in the winter and it is generally always cold in the evenings throughout the year.

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How to get started

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