Beauty in the Eye Of The Abuser: Morocco Television Shows Women How To Cover Up Bruises From Domestic Violence

The beating of women in Islamic countries remains a serious concern, particularly after Islamic clerics advised men how to beat their spouses in Islamically correct ways (here and here and here). With the rise of Islamic parties in Morocco, women are particularly concerned. This concern was magnified recently with the airing of a state television program on how women can use makeup to cover bruises left by domestic violence.

Television program Sabahiyat, on Channel 2M, featured tips and a demonstration from a makeup artist covering up bruises on a woman made to appear as the victim of domestic violence. The cheerful host told viewers “We hope these beauty tips will help you carry on with your daily life.” To make matters, the program aired two days before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It appears that just a little makeup is all you need to eliminate the problem in Morocco.

After an outcry, the program removed the clip from its website and offered a “clarification” that the episode was “completely inappropriate and has an editorial error of judgment in view of the sensitivity and the gravity of the subject of violence against women.”