Blog 2- Ability or social status

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 One identity that stood out to me during our time in Morocco, was how a person’s economic position and access to opportunity can shape their daily life. Social status often influences education, employment, and long-term stability. In many rural areas of Morocco, women historically have had fewer economic opportunities due to limited access to formal employment and resources. According to the World Bank, improving women’s economic participation is closely tied to reducing poverty and strengthening community development.

One societal issue connected to social status is the cycle of limited economic opportunity, especially for women in rural communities. When individuals have fewer job options or lower-paying work, it can be difficult to invest in education, healthcare, or upward mobility. This cycle can affect entire families across generations. However, women’s cooperatives in Morocco, such as argan oil cooperatives, have been created to help break this cycle by providing stable income and skill-based employment for women who may not otherwise have access to formal job markets.

During our visit to the argan oil cooperative, what stood out to me most was how the organization actively worked to improve the social status of the women employed there. The cooperative was not just a workplace, but a support system. One of the most memorable parts of the visit was learning that the cooperative also provided schooling opportunities for employees’ children. Seeing this firsthand made it clear that the organization was invested in long-term change, not just immediate employment. It gave families access to education and stability that can shift their social and economic future.

This experience felt very different from what I am used to seeing in the United States. While there are programs and organizations that support low-income families, it is uncommon to see a workplace directly integrating education and childcare into its structure. The cooperative seemed to understand that improving social status requires more than wages. That approach made a strong impression on me because it showed how deeply connected work and family wellbeing can be.

Personally, this experience changed how I think about opportunity and social mobility. I realized that social status is not just an individual issue. Seeing how the cooperative provided both income and education made me think about how impactful it can be when organizations invest in people beyond their labor. It showed me that meaningful change often happens when communities support both economic and educational needs together.

World Bank. (2023). Morocco gender assessment: Addressing gaps and promoting opportunities for women. https://www.worldbank.org

International Labour Organization. (2023). Women and men in the informal economy: A statistical update. https://www.ilo.org





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