Governance challenges of collective lands and women’s land rights in Morocco: evidence from the Aït Khadji case study

Abstract

The present paper examines the governance of collective (communal) lands in Morocco through an in-depth case study of the Aït Khadji collective lands in Azilal Province. It analyzes the historical, legal, and institutional transformations that have shaped collective land management from the pre-colonial period to the present, arguing that the contemporary configuration of these lands can only be properly interpreted through a long-term historical and institutional perspective. The study area is located in a mountainous context along the Oued El Abid basin, within the Central High Atlas, characterized by predominantly rainfed agriculture, communal rangelands, and limited irrigated perimeters, where livelihoods rely mainly on farming and pastoral activities. The territory is marked by strong tribal organization, fragmented land resources, and growing socio-economic pressures associated with demographic expansion, land scarcity, and administrative constraints. The study further explores the issue of women’s access to collective land rights in Aït Khadji, highlighting the impact of recent legal reforms, especially the adoption of Law No. 62.17, which formally recognizes gender equality in access to collective land ownership. The analysis also considers the role of the Guide for the Mobilization and Valorization of Properties Owned by Collective Communities as an operational governance framework designed to regulate land allocation, reduce informal appropriation, and encourage sustainable and productive land use. Despite these advances, the findings reveal persistent challenges related to the coexistence of customary norms and statutory law, disputes over beneficiary identification, and institutional fragmentation, which collectively hinder transparent decision-making and the effective implementation of land policies. Finally, the paper discusses future prospects for collective land governance in light of the orientations of the Supervisory Council, with particular emphasis on cooperative-based development models and collective investment strategies. This study provides a multi-scale analysis combining national legal reforms with a detailed local examination of historical trajectories, governance practices, and gender dynamics, thereby offering original empirical evidence on how collective land policies are negotiated, adapted, and contested at the community level in contemporary Morocco.