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".