Morocco commemorates Family Law reform with new National Woman's Day
2008-07-18
The designation of October 10th as National Women's Day celebrates Morocco's 2003 Family Code. Parliamentarians welcomed the new holiday while some citizens say the code has not yet been fully implemented.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 18/07/08
 [Getty Images] Family and Solidarity Minister Nozha Skelli welcomed the designation of October 10th as National Women's Day, and called on women to intensify efforts to develop the country. |
The Moroccan government announced this week that October 10th of every year will be National Women's Day in the Kingdom. The decree follows legislative changes advancing women's rights and the improved political representation of women in the country's governance.
"This occasion…commemorates the historic monarchical address…in which His Majesty expressed the content of the new family code," a July 12th statement from the Social Development, Family and Solidarity Ministry said.
On October 10th, 2003, two years after creating a panel to revise Morocco's Civil Status Code, the Moudawana, King Mohammed VI publicly announced a modernised Family Law lifting the iniquity imposed on women, protecting children’s rights, and safeguarding men’s dignity.
"This code", the statement read, "strongly emphasised that the values of human rights and equality, as they are perceived worldwide, go in line with the teachings and goals of our tolerant religion, which caused the whole world to admire our country and the long-sightedness of our King, may God defend him".
Parliament unanimously endorsed the Family Law on February 3rd, 2004. Among its provisions: husband and wife are jointly responsible for the family, women are not subject to the "guardianship" of a male family member, women can institute a divorce and women have the right to accept a marriage only if her husband agrees not to take further wives.
Along with marking the anniversary of Morocco's progressive family code, October 10th will henceforth be an occasion to evaluate the work of women's rights activists and assess prospects for future reform, the ministry said.
Moroccan women have gained significant achievements over the past years, said Family and Solidarity Minister Nozha Skelli, citing the family code amendments, the election of 34 women to parliament and the appointment of seven female ministers to the current cabinet.
The minister called on women to intensify efforts to develop the country, to participate in the political domain and to enhance their presence in local administrations.
"Announcing a national day for women is an important event that Moroccan women deserve, having fought for their rights, which they will surely have in full one day," said parliamentarian Zahra Shkaf.
In comparison to many Arab states, Morocco has made huge advances in women's rights, Shkaf noted, adding that other countries in the region now look to Morocco as an example.
Some women, however, have been critical of the family code reforms.
Khadija Al-Riyadi, head of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, argues that the code did not achieve real equality for women.
"Despite everything that has been said about the code," Riyadi said, "everyone is convinced that it has not resulted in any tangible change in Moroccan women's life".
Riyadi believes there is a lack of political will or basic resources to implement the code's provisions. Moreover, "social and economic problems because of high prices and massive lay-offs" mean the code has had very little impact on the life of Moroccan women, she said.
"Naming a national day for the Moroccan woman is something positive," engineering student Hind told Magharebia. "But what is more important is to improve their lives so they would celebrate their day feeling comfortable."
To achieve this, she said, violence against women must be eradicated and there must be a change in "men's mentality concerning women".
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hasna Posted 2008-10-10
Salam alikum. My question is whether there is any new changes this year 2008 in the Family Law. I agree with all the laws introduced in the new Family Law. Thank you. I am waiting for the reply.
mustapha warrach Posted 2008-11-19
Hi- I would like a full account of the procedure for getting a divorce.
amal Posted 2008-11-25
What is the rule in case of adultery of a married man when he expects a baby with his mistress?
LOUBNA Posted 2008-12-02
What is new in the family law?
hind Posted 2008-12-07
I beg you. I want to know the position of the law towards divorced women. After a certain length of time, her divorcé promised to come back to her, and then after a time, she became pregnant. When she told him about it, he suggested abortion saying that he doesn’t want to remarry. He told her if she went to court, they would both go to prison. I beg you, I want a reply.
al36r Posted 2008-12-09
Salam alikum. This site is more than great. Thank you. A very nice topic which deserves to be read.
eddrihmi youssef Posted 2008-12-11
Salam. My problem is that I have been married for five years. I have a son who is 2. My wife is pregnant in 7 months. She insists on divorce. I did her a lot of wrong. But I have repented and want my wife and kids. But she refuses. She wants divorce. Her parents tell her to divorce. I am tired. By God, I want a solution.
mohemad Posted 2009-01-27
I married my cousin even though I didn’t want her. My mother married her to me. We have a daughter. I got acquainted with a girl and now I love her. I like her and want to marry her. When her family found out I was married, they refused to marry her to me. I don’t know what to do. Tell me a solution.
Anonymous Posted 2009-01-29
I advise Hind to go to justice. Justice will give you your right. Don’t worry, there is a law. He must marry you and recognise his son or daughter. Justice will not imprison you. They will just tell you that you have made a big mistake because you trusted such man, since he divorced you, you shouldn’t have trusted him. Be careful. Go to justice, it will be on your side I am sure. Go to a lawyer to tell you what to do. Good luck.
waf Posted 2009-01-30
Salam alikum. I am 26. I love a man but he is married. But he is not in good terms with his wife because it was his mother who married him to her. Now we love each other and want to marry. I want to ask whether the approval of the first wife is no longer necessary. Please reply via msn as soon as possible. I love him and we have been together for years.
safaa Posted 2009-02-07
Salam alikum. I am 26, I love a guy but he is married. They don’t understand each other because it was his mother who married him to her. Now, we love each other and want to marry. I want to ask whether they have withdrawn the approval of the wife or not. Reply to me please on my msn as soon as possible. I love him and we have been together for years.
rania Posted 2009-02-10
A very interesting topic but not comprehensive of all the problems of women. There are still issues which weren't tackled by the family code.
حنان Posted 2009-02-10
Salam alikum. I have read some magazines on the internet stating that there were modifications to the family code mainly the withdrawal of the approval of the wife in case of marrying a second wife. Is this true? Please reply to my email.
ghita Posted 2009-02-27
Women must enter all the sectors of politics, economy and sports in particular.
hanan Posted 2009-02-28
I divorced in the month 1 in 2009. I will complete my legal retreat God willing and I will marry. I had one son with him. He is one year. I would like to know whether he will take my son if I marry. Salam alikum. I am Hanan from Agadir.
asom Posted 2009-03-01
Women should invade all political, economic and sport fields in particular.
Anonymous Posted 2009-03-10
We hope to see another one better than this even if I like it but I want something new.
Anonymous Posted 2009-03-10
Khadija, I hope there will be something new very soon.
nada Posted 2009-03-10
Salam alikum. I love a married man. Despite this he is ready to marry me. He proposed to my parents but I postponed the topic as we are concerned about his wife. We are worried about hurting her. Can we marry without her approval because we cannot build a family on the detriment of another family? Please I want a reply to my msn.
الانسة زياني لطيفة Posted 2009-03-11
Sir, I ask you for the site of the respectable minister Nezha Skalli so that I can provide her total support and be firmer about the family code. This is my story. I am 42 and unmarried. I praise God. But the problem is not here it is rather with a criminal woman who called my father who is an old man, 73. She sold all his properties and manipulated him. Now she wants to expulse us from our house. She says that she is the inheriting wife. So where is law? If we let the opportunity to any depraved woman who sees an old man who has a pension, destroys a family of 12 members without anyone acting. By the way she threatens to throw us to the street. By the way she does not have a legal act. This has begun over ten years ago. Now she is waiting for the judge to confirm her marriage. This is illogical and unfair to allow destroyers of families to triumph over a family who used to live in total prosperity and happiness. My mother is still beautiful and in good health. Please help us and grant us justice because we are suffering everyday. We got acquainted with this criminal in October 2008. May God assist our valiant king. We want more firmness in the family code. (Waiting for your reply impatiently).
solla Posted 2009-03-12
Salam alikum. I am a woman who divorced five years. I don’t deny that the family code granted many rights. However, it has not provided an opportunity to marry again because in this way, a woman loses the custody of the child. So a woman have to choose between marrying or giving up her child. Please correct me if I am mistaken. Thank you very much.
iman Posted 2009-03-29
Salam alikum. I read in some papers through the internet that there are some amendments to the Family Code mainly the annulment of the authorization of the wife in the case the husband wants to take a second wife. Is this true? Thank you. Please reply to my email.
moussa Posted 2009-04-06
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. This is a nice site. I thank you all.
smahane Posted 2009-04-06
Salam- I am a young girl, age 26. I received a marriage proposal, but the man is already married, has two children and his wife accepted for him to remarry again for the second time. Personally, i no longer know what to do! I would truly like to know!
mona Posted 2009-04-08
Salam alikum. Thank you. This is a very interesting topic. I wanted to ask you a question. My sister is in Italy. She is not in agreement with her husband. He is suing her here in Morocco. She has a daughter. She is suing him there. But she fears that he take her daughter. She wants to take her to her mother. Can she do this or not? I hope that you will reply to me as soon as possible through the email. Thank you very much.
walid Posted 2009-04-24
Salam alikum brothers. This topic dealt with rights of women and violence against her even if in Morocco there are men who are victims of violence. They should be considered. We should know the cause of this violence against women and why it was practiced against her before judging man. We should also add to the right of woman the right of man. There should be jobs offers for men before women. It is illogical that women work in administrative functions but her husband works only at home. We don't say deny her the right to work but offer work opportunity to her husband first before her unfortunately!!! Our country cannot even offer jobs to men and you think of women.
farid hamada Posted 2009-05-01
I am not married but how? There is a higher number of girls; a higher rate. I have a problem. I am 24.
katy Posted 2009-06-02
Salam- I am a married woman. I have a four-year-old child. I saw my husband with another woman. When I spoke to him about it, he told me he would like to marry another woman. This is something I am not going to accept. I would simply like to know if moudawana will permit him to remarry without my permission. (Does the new Moudawana do away with the permission of the wife in the marriage to a second wife?) Please respond at my email address.
hanan Posted 2009-06-12
Salam alikum. I want to thank you for this great site and for the explanations you present to solve problems.
hanan Posted 2009-06-12
I am Hanane from Agadir. I have children and was victim of violence for nine years. But today I managed to overcome fear and went to my family's home. Now I have gone to court to get divorce. I want to know if the judge will grant me justice knowing that I have presented medical certificates. Thank you for your consideration.
حنان Posted 2009-06-18
Thank you for your interest in my problem and for writing me. Thank you.
sara Posted 2009-07-25
Salam. I am a married woman. I have a 5 months old baby. My husband assaults me. He doesn't give me my rights. I want to divorce but I don't know where to go or money to subsist and support my sons. He has his house where he live in the Netherlands. I want to ask whether I and my son have the right to remain in the house if I divorce or what is the ruling or the family law? Thank you.
lahcen Posted 2009-08-16
What is new in the family law
fatima Posted 2009-09-20
I am a married woman. I have a baby, eight months. My husband went to court to divorce me. The hearing will be in 10/2009 because he wants to marry a woman in France in order to get papers to live there. I want to know what to do. Thank you.
sami Posted 2009-10-18
Thank you for the interest shown to the Moroccan woman, which has raised her standing in society.
yassmin Posted 25 days ago
Peace of God be upon you. I wanted to know whether the signature of the wife was eliminated.
زاهري نجلاء Posted 18 days ago
In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful. My mother married my father in 1972. She doesn’t have a paper showing her identity. Her father forgot to register her in the civil status records. He has a first wife with a marriage contract and they have eight children. He had nine children with my mother. Instead of documenting his marriage to my mother, he registered his children with the name of the first wife. After this period, we grew up and tried hard to register her in the civil status records through the court. The problem is how to prove her marriage to my father. My father is evasive, because he's scared of justice. What's the solution? She has spent 36 years with him. Will she remain like this? Where are her rights as a wife, when even her children aren’t in her name? I want help, please. Thank you very much. Salam.
nada Posted 12 days ago
Salam alikum. I want to know the Family Law, especially if I divorce from my husband. I have one daughter with him; she's 7.
zina Posted 8 days ago
Corrupt women are forbidden from taking any right from a man in a divorce. You must fight corrupt women, not encourage them. Man is poor, he is the victim in this farce. You must consider his financial condition if he wants to marry again, not destroy him.
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