Morocco has unveiled reforms to its family law, including raising the minimum marriage age and allowing greater flexibility in inheritance for women.
Digital Worldwide News
December25, 2024
Women's rights activists in Morocco protest core inequalities
Morocco’s announcement of family law reforms comes after two decades of waiting.
The proposed changes include raising the marriage age from 15 to 17 and granting women a veto on polygamous marriages.
Officials claim this initiative will modernize outdated codes, aligning them with both Islamic principles and global values.
But critics argue the reforms don’t go far enough.
“This is a partial victory, not a comprehensive win,” says activist Hanan Al-Mouafi.
She points out that the changes fail to address systemic issues, such as unequal inheritance laws and the persistence of child marriage under “exceptional” clauses.
One of the most controversial areas of reform is inheritance.
The current Islamic rule grants men twice the inheritance of women. The new law doesn’t abolish this rule but allows families to voluntarily allocate more to female heirs.
Activists see this as a superficial fix. “Voluntary decisions don’t create systemic change,” says sociologist Yasmine Haroun. For her, the reform dodges the deeper conversation about equal rights and economic justice.
Without mandatory equality, women remain dependent on individual goodwill rather than guaranteed legal rights.
Raising the minimum marriage age to 17 is being lauded as progress.
However, exceptions will still allow underage marriages, leaving the door open for exploitation.
Rights groups have warned that these exceptions are often abused, particularly in rural areas where poverty and cultural norms push young girls into early marriages.
Amina El-Karim, a human rights lawyer, says the reform is “symbolic” rather than effective.
“If you leave room for exceptions, you haven’t really changed anything.” She calls for a complete ban on child marriage, something the current reform avoids altogether.
Women’s rights organizations in Morocco are calling this reform an unfinished story.
While officials highlight progress, activists argue the reforms only skim the surface of the inequalities embedded in family law.
“It’s a step forward, but it’s not the leap we need,” says Malika Saadawi, a prominent advocate. She believes the reforms fail to challenge patriarchal norms that continue to limit women’s autonomy.
As Morocco’s supreme religious authority, King Mohammed VI holds significant influence over these reforms.
His support for justice, equality, and solidarity is clear, but his adherence to Islamic precepts limits how far the reforms can go.
The King’s final approval is awaited, but activists fear the amendments will remain within conservative boundaries.
“Without his leadership, these reforms will stay symbolic,” Saadawi says.
Morocco’s family law reforms are making global headlines for their ambitious promises.
But beneath the surface lies a tension between tradition and progress. While officials tout modernization, women’s rights activists see unfinished business.
The question remains: Can Morocco strike a balance between its Islamic heritage and the universal call for gender equality? Or will these reforms be another chapter in a long, incomplete journey?