Casablanca , Morocco ( CNN ) -- Single mothers in Morocco are breaking records . A recent study published by a Casablanca support group for single mothers says the number of Morocco 's unmarried mothers in 2009 is at least double those in 2008 -- 27,200 compared with 11,016 the year before , according to the Institution Nationale de Solidarite Avec Les Femmes en Distresse . As in most Muslim countries , it is considered an intolerable shame on a family in Morocco if a daughter falls pregnant outside marriage . In many cases , families totally reject a daughter who becomes pregnant before marriage . Morocco 's unmarried mothers are mostly young , said Houda El Bourahi , the institute 's director . The study shows 60 % are younger than 26 and a third younger than 20 , she said . According to the 350-page report , the mothers are often in `` vulnerable '' professions , such as house servants , and the majority have a low level of schooling . Often , the women believe that their sexual partners will marry them , and so agree to their demands , according to the study . Despite Morocco being modern in so many respects , strong prejudice still remains against unwed mothers from most groups of society . `` It 's time to put an end to prejudices held against these women though who are considered by ( Moroccan ) society as prostitutes , '' El Bourahi said . `` These women are rejected by their families and by society and are not protected by the law . '' Since the end of last year , 7,000 women in Casablanca alone had been assisted at the organization 's Center of Listening on the outskirts of the city , the commercial capital of Morocco with a population of almost 4 million . Furthermore , 2,000 children have been accepted legally by the civil state and 540 have been recognized by their fathers . The women 's rights agenda has accelerated dramatically in recent years in Morocco largely following an initiative by King Mohammed VI to give women more equality , both at home and in the workplace . A new law adopted in 2004 gave women more rights as wives , for example . Still , few men accept unmarried mothers and their offspring despite less of a stigma these days toward women who take up jobs and consider virginity to be an outdated virtue . While many men consider single mothers to be prostitutes , sex workers reportedly represent a tiny percentage of Morocco 's unmarried mothers .
A recent study says number of unwed mothers in India increased dramatically from 2000 to 2010 . Study shows 60 % of unwed mothers are younger than 40 and a third younger than 20 . Strong prejudice still remains against unwed mothers from most groups of society .