Moroccan NGOs Advocate for Equitable Family Code Reforms

Monday 29 April 2024 - 12:47

Nearly 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come together under the banner of the Feminine Coordination for the Moudawana Reform to call for pragmatic changes to Morocco's Family Code. These groups have published their recommendations, emphasizing the need to address the evolving dynamics within Moroccan families and eliminate gender discrimination.

The collective has stressed the importance of considering the "structural and social changes" that Moroccan families have experienced. The Feminine Coordination seeks to ensure equity and the removal of gender-based discrimination in the forthcoming Family Code. A total of 29 associations have signed the Coordination's manifesto, expressing their appreciation for the commission's participatory approach, which includes listening sessions, proposal preparation, and nationwide community debates.

The commission responsible for reforming the Family Code comprises representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, the National Council for Human Rights, and the Ministry of the Family. It has engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including civil society associations, political parties, trade unions, activists, experts, judges, practitioners, and academic researchers.

In anticipation of the draft law's submission to the legislature, the Feminine Coordination has outlined its position and expectations. One of its primary demands is to "consider the economic and social changes that have reshaped Moroccan families and their new structures." This includes recognizing the evolving roles of women and men within the family unit, as well as the contributions of each individual to development and productive work. The Coordination also highlights the "specific role" of women in pursuing gender equality and the right to decent work for all.

The Coordination advocates for harmonizing national laws with Morocco's international obligations and aligning public policies and programs with a social project that upholds the rights of men, women, and children in an equitable manner.

Furthermore, the collective calls for a reassessment of the philosophical framework underpinning the future Family Code. This reassessment should guarantee respect for the principle of gender equality, eliminate discrimination in rights and responsibilities, and move away from the concept of "guardianship" established in the 2004 Family Code.

The Coordination has identified several areas that require reconsideration, including polygamy, the marriage of minors, the limitation of legal guardianship of children to fathers (excluding mothers), and discrimination in inheritance, which does not ensure women's fair share of family wealth. The collective argues that these practices "undermine the principle of equity and human rights of women and children, and discriminate against a significant portion of the Moroccan population."

With these strong recommendations, the Feminine Coordination for the Moudawana Reform has positioned itself as a powerful advocate for progressive changes to the Family Code. It champions the rights of Moroccan women and families, pushing for reforms that reflect the evolving dynamics of modern society and ensure a fairer future for all.