Morocco’s justice and Islamic affairs ministers unveiled sweeping changes to the country’s family law on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to include over 100 amendments to current law that would give women greater rights in child custody and guardianship disputes as well as a veto on polygamy.
This is Morocco’s first review of its family code in 20 years.
Women’s rights activists have long been demanding amendments to the rules governing the rights of women and children within the family. Their demands center on complete equality in inheritance and child protection as well as a complete ban on child marriage.
The latest reform will not meet those demands, but is aimed at modernizing the legal code in disputed areas.
For example, it would not eliminate the Islamic-based inheritance rule that gives a man double a woman’s share, but it would allow individuals to pass on any of their property to their female heirs, Justice Minister Abdellatif Aouabi said. Said. Additionally, existing laws allow marriage of children under 15 in exceptional circumstances, but the updated law will raise the age to 17, just one year below the normal marriage age.
The King has not yet approved the changes.
The initiative was unveiled after two years of consultation with civil society as well as judicial and religious parties. The new law still requires parliamentary and royal approval, and Ouhabi did not set any timeline for the amendments to come into force.
King Mohammed VI, who also serves as the country’s highest religious authority, said the revised code was designed to protect the Moroccan family based on “the principles of justice, equality, solidarity and harmony” along with Islamic principles and universal values. Should be.
The Emperor would have the final say in any dispute regarding the new text.
ftm/dj (AFP, Reuters)
