Moroccan author Skalli discusses her book, research

03/12/2006

Moroccan author Loubna Hanna Skalli has recently published a book called Through a Local Prism: Gender, Globalisation and Identity in Moroccan Women's Magazines. In it, she addresses gender, poverty and globalisation. She tells Magharebia about her research.

By Farah Kinani for Magharebia in Washington

[File] Moroccan author Loubna Hanna Skalli addresses gender, development and the Arab media.

Loubna Hanna Skalli recently published Through a Local Prism: Gender, Globalisation and Identity in Moroccan Women's Magazines. It discusses the gender, poverty and the effects of globalisation on Arab and Muslim societies. The Moroccan author talks to Magharebia about the book and her life in the United States.

Magharebia: How did you decide to write Local Prism?

Loubna Hanna Skalli: The idea came from several developments and observations. The first was Morocco's changing media landscape in the mid-1990s. Before I left for the United States to start my PhD, I noticed new press freedom in Morocco.

There seemed to be a new era of journalism resulting in new Moroccan women's publications (Femmes du Maroc and Citadine). They resembled Western publications (Femmes Actuelles, Cosmopolitan, etc), addressing topics with freedom and audacity.

They discussed women's sexuality, female-headed households, female migration, and for the first time, a glorification of traditional Moroccan costumes.

Previous (women's) magazines faded because of censorship and finances. The new ones combined feminism with consumer interests and gained new freedom by testing taboo subjects.

This relates to another point: the impact of globalisation on local cultures and gender roles. In the mid-to late 1990s, "globalisation" was a buzzword. There was and still is a fear of losing local traditions to global influence.

But there was nothing to show how ordinary people, from places such as Morocco, experienced globalisation.

For my book I interviewed Moroccan journalists, readers and consumers.

Magharebia: Whom does your book target?

Skalli: It's for people interested in the gender and cultural dimensions of globalisation. It addresses the production and consumption of women's magazines and analyses the context in which they emerged, including changes in Morocco since the mid-1980s. The book explains the evolution of Moroccan women's journalism and compares women's magazines.

Magharebia: Is your book about Moroccan or Arab society?

Skalli: My book focuses on Moroccan society. However, I refer to other regions, such as the Middle East and Latin America.

Magharebia: Moroccan women's magazines are criticised for being elitist and focusing urbanites. How did you reach rural women since your research focused on those magazines?

Skalli: Magazines where female illiteracy is high cannot be anything but elitist. This doesn't mean we should ignore what the elite are reading and producing. Obviously, the advertisements target the wealthy. Opinions about the magazines are interesting. Ironically, urbanites I interviewed criticised them for elitism.

Magazine use in Morocco is interesting. While illiteracy prevents many women from reading the magazines, they still look at the images.

Women use the magazine's pictures as resources for dressmaking. Many can neither read nor buy the magazines. Instead, they borrow copies and have friends explain the stories.

Magharebia: You've noticed a gender dimension in Moroccan poverty. What is it?

Skalli: Poverty is experienced differently by both sexes. It is not just about income. Poverty has multidimensional levels. There is poverty of resources and opportunities. There are laws that do not protect women, and poverty that results from their lack of education, employment, and health services.

The assumption is that women benefit from gender-neutral development programmes. This is misleading and costly. Reducing Moroccan women's poverty should be multidimensional and causes of women's poverty should be addressed.

Morocco is on the right track. For example, Morocco's Mudawana (family code) girls' education and training programmes are laudable. Women's increased political participation is putting women's issues on the national agenda.

But the challenge is daunting. The situation of rural women is still precarious because of the cycle of marginalisation.

Magharebia: Tell us about your American journey.

Skalli: I came to the United States after 15 years of teaching in Morocco. I wanted to gain skills to take back to Morocco. I did my PhD at Pennsylvania State University, where I met my husband. I then returned to teaching in Morocco because my Fulbright scholarship required I serve my country for two years. In 2003, I joined my husband in Washington and started teaching at the American University's School of International Service. I now have two-year-old twin boys, Adam and Zachary. I spend my days balancing my personal and professional life.