Gender equality in the social and solidarity economy: Insights from Moroccan Sahrawi society

Abstract Although the social and solidarity economy (SSE) is grounded in values of equity, democracy and inclusion, persistent gender inequalities continue to shape women's experiences within its structures. This study explores how SSE cooperatives in Moroccan Sahrawi society promote gender equality, drawing on qualitative data from semi‐structured interviews with members of both female and mixed cooperatives. A comparative case study approach was used, combining within‐case and cross‐case thematic analysis to examine how gender dynamics unfold in each context. The findings reveal that, although cooperatives offer an enabling framework for participation and empowerment, women's actual agency remains constrained by internalized social norms, unequal domestic responsibilities and identity‐based expectations. Women‐only cooperatives appear to provide more coherent spaces for empowerment, whereas mixed‐gender cooperatives often reproduce subtle forms of gendered exclusion. These results underline the tension between formal inclusion and lived experience and highlight the importance of considering both institutional structures and sociocultural factors when assessing the transformative potential of the SSE.