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Morocco releases data on sex trade industry after 'Much Loved' film causes stir

The film, "Much Loved," has been banned in Morocco.

By Ed Adamczyk
Nabil Ayouch, director of "Much Loved." File Photo by wikimedia.org/ G. Biard.
Nabil Ayouch, director of "Much Loved." File Photo by wikimedia.org/ G. Biard.

RABAT , Morocco, May 29 (UPI) -- The Moroccan government published data on its sex workers industry days after a film on the subject premiered at the Cannes, France, Film Festival.

Despite criticism that the information made available is out of date and inaccurate, it is the first acknowledgement of a sex trade industry in Morocco. It comes after the debut of "Zin Li Fik," or "Much Loved," a film about prostitution in Morocco by Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch, in Cannes. The film, which remains banned in Morocco, evidently prompted the government's release of the data.

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The Health Ministries in four cities – Rabat, Tangier, Fez and Agadir – counted 19,333 sex workers, according to 2011 data. Information about prostitution in tourist centers, like Casablanca and Marrakech, were not part of the report.

"Nineteen thousand? Maybe in Casa alone," said Universite International de Rabat sociology professor Mehdi Alioua, a reference to Casablanca. Alioua acknowledged the recognition of the sex trade industry, however belated, is because of the film.

"Much Loved," which offers a realistic depiction of prostitution in Morocco, was banned by Morocco's Communications Ministry before distributors sought a license to present it. In a statement, the Ministry said, "The Moroccan authorities have decided not to allow this projection," said a Ministry of Communication. It has serious contempt for moral values and the Moroccan woman, and (is) a flagrant breach of the Kingdom." It added the decision came after "it was screened as part of an international festival."

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Human rights activist Khadija Riyadi said Moroccans have "a hard time seeing themselves in the mirror," but the release of the film "opened the debate. It's pushed people to talk about this."

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