8 March is celebrated worldwide as International Women’s Day, recognising the vital role women play in the development of our societies. For Saharawi women, however, this day is observed under the constant threat of attacks on their physical integrity, insults, sexual assault, kidnapping, ridicule, beatings, and other forms of humiliation inflicted by the Moroccan state, simply for participating in peaceful demonstrations demanding respect for human rights in Western Sahara.

Hundreds of Saharawi women have suffered serious injuries during violent interventions by Moroccan authorities, with many requiring hospitalisation and some undergoing surgery. Numerous reports, supported by film, photographs, and eyewitness testimony, confirm the involvement of Moroccan authorities and call for thorough and impartial investigations to hold those responsible for torture and other human rights abuses to account.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of genuine independence and transparency within the Moroccan judicial system, such investigations rarely take place. On the contrary, officials accused of human rights violations against Saharawis are often promoted or transferred to Moroccan cities.

Adala UK congratulates women across the world, particularly those who strive for peace and stability, such as the Saharawi women who continue to demonstrate peacefully for their rights despite ongoing aggression. We call upon the Moroccan state to comply fully with its international obligations regarding human rights, and, in particular, women’s rights in Western Sahara.

Legal and Practical Call to Action:
Adala UK stresses that under international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), all women are entitled to live free from violence, harassment, and discrimination. We urge Moroccan authorities to ensure that Saharawi women can exercise their rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and public participation without fear of reprisals.

We also call upon international human rights bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, to monitor, document, and report violations against women in Western Sahara. Legal remedies, both domestic and international, should be pursued to hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring justice, transparency, and reparation for victims.

By combining advocacy, legal accountability, and international oversight, we can work towards a world where women everywhere—including Saharawi women—can exercise their rights safely and contribute fully to society.

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