Moroccan TV airs makeup tips for women to hide spousal abuse

RABAT, Morocco - After a wave of criticism, a Moroccan TV show devoted to women’s issues apologized on Monday for airing a makeup tutorial that offered tips on using cosmetics to disguise signs of domestic abuse, calling the segment an “error in judgment.”

The daily women’s show that aired Wednesday and was posted online drew a cascade of sharp criticism on social media, a petition from indignant women and, finally, the televised apology.

The show “Sabahiyat” (Mornings) featured a demonstration “to show you the makeup you can use to cover the bruises on your face” as a way to mark the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women.

The online segment was removed, but a petition signed by nearly 2,000 people was sent to Morocco’s High Authority for Audiovisual Communications, which called a meeting Monday.

The statement by the show on the public 2M channel noted that Sabahiyat has been on the air for nearly six years, always addressing “every issue that matters” to women.

“Our concern is one: to defend women’s rights. In the name of the Sabahiyat team at 2M, we present our apologies and sincere regret over the beauty segment aired on Wednesday, which was an error in judgment,” the program’s statement said. “We request your understanding and commit to being more vigilant and precise in each of our programs.”