The law reform would especially improve women’s status and job opportunities. Ultimately, the law is decided by King Mohammad VI.
The new year in Morocco, located in North Africa, is bringing good news for women and girls.
A king with extensive powers Mohammad VI has accelerated the reform that improves equality. More than a thousand non-governmental organizations and many political parties have demanded improvements in the status of women. Women have traditionally worked at home and taken care of the family.
According to the new law, women would have more say in matters of inheritance. Today, women inherit half as much as men. Women’s smaller share of inheritance is based on the instructions of the Koran.
We want to eliminate child marriages
The primary demand of activists calling for a change in the law is the abolition of child marriage. The legal age for marriage is currently 18 years. However, the authorities still grant marriage licenses to younger girls as well. Up to 85 percent of minors’ marriage applications have been approved.
Polygamy is constantly decreasing. In 2022, 0.3 percent of unions had multiple spouses.
It is hoped that the law reform will also clarify custody practices. Fathers are usually appointed guardians of children in a divorce. Mothers, on the other hand, lose custody of n if they remarry.
Doubts in Islamist circles
According to groups demanding the improvement of women’s rights, gender equality is a broader issue than family policy.
Women are increasingly highly educated and two thirds of graduates are girls. Even so, it is still difficult for women to enter the working life – Even a third of academic Moroccan women are unemployed. About a fifth of highly educated men are unemployed. Youth unemployment is generally high in Morocco.
Doubtful voices can also be heard from old Islamist circles. For example, polygamy is considered to be in accordance with the instructions of Islam. The officially banned Al Adl Wa Al Ihsane group says Islam is above all other laws.
AFP