International Journal of Qualitative Research
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): March

Women in Leadership: A Critical Reading of Khnata Bint Bakkar’s Role in Moroccan History

Ahmed Lehfid (Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Dhar El Mahraz, Morocco)
Ghali Lehfid (Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Dhar El Mahraz, Morocco)
Abdelaaziz El Bakkali (Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Dhar El Mahraz, Morocco)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Mar 2026

Abstract

The present article investigates the life, political contributions, and historical significance of Khnata Bint Bakkar, a prominent female figure in Moroccan history. The study addresses the problem of women’s historical underrepresentation in political narratives and examines how Khnata Bint Bakkar navigated and exercised agency within a male-dominated political sphere. Based on a qualitative research approach, the study employs content analysis of the documentary episode on Khnata Bint Bakkar from the series Ten Women from History (2M, Morocco) and corroborates the documentary’s accounts with secondary historical sources. The research objectives are to identify her political and diplomatic roles, assess her influence on decision-making and governance, and analyze her mentorship of successive rulers. Findings reveal that Khnata Bint Bakkar played multifaceted roles, namely advisor, diplomat, military manager, and mentor, all of which contributed to the consolidation and stability of the Moroccan kingdom during the reigns of Sultan Moulay Ismail, Sultan Moulay Abdellah, and Sultan Sidi Mohamed. Moreover, her later withdrawal from politics did not diminish her legacy, as she continued to impact society through humanitarian work and religious practice. The study highlights her strategic acumen and leadership, demonstrating the critical role of women in Moroccan political history. These findings have implications for historiography as they emphasize the importance of recognizing women’s agency and contributions in shaping political and social structures.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijqr

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

International Journal of Qualitative Research is an International Journal, Peer-Reviewed, and Open Access which is devoted to disseminating the results of qualitative research. IJQR does not accept a critical review manuscript. The scope of publication in the International Journal of Qualitative ...