Morocco: women's rights increased

Off Our Backs, Nov/Dec 2003 by Osborn, Corie, Dalton, Melissa, Ruby, Jennie, Young, Angie

Africa

King Mohammed VI has proposed reforms to increase Moroccan women's rights. The reforms aim to breach the gulf between women's advocacy groups and the dominating Islamic movement in the country. He explained his plans to Parliament as a means to "lift the inequity weighing on women, protect children's rights and preserve the dignity of mankind."

Women will be granted property rights and the eligible age for marriage will be lifted from 15 to 18. Divorces will be "simplified" to benefit women and in the event of a separation, the children's custody will be given to the mother. Polygamy will remain legal, though men will now need their current wife's permission before they can marry another.

"These reforms must not be seen as a victory of one camp over another," the King said, "but rather as advances for the benefit of all Moroccans." It remains to be seen how much these changes will truly improve women's lives.