Morocco: Women’s Rights League Renews Call To Decriminalize Abortion

15:00

The Fédération de la Ligue des droits des femmes has renewed its call for the decriminalization of abortion in Morocco, arguing that women’s health and personal autonomy should remain central to the country’s approach to abortion.

The organization made the appeal on the occasion of World Abortion Day, using the event to reiterate its position in favor of removing legal restrictions that criminalize voluntary termination of pregnancy.

Focus on unsafe and clandestine abortions

In a statement published on Facebook, the women’s rights organization highlighted the risks associated with clandestine and unsafe abortions. It stressed that such practices can expose women to serious consequences for their physical and psychological health and, in the most severe cases, put their lives at risk.

The federation also called for greater recognition of women’s ability to make decisions concerning their own bodies. According to the organization, reproductive choices should be approached through a framework that safeguards women’s autonomy and personal rights.

Its position also distinguishes between abortion itself and procedures carried out in unsafe conditions, emphasizing the dangers associated with clandestine practices.

Criminal penalties remain in Morocco’s Penal Code

Morocco’s Penal Code provides criminal sanctions for individuals who perform or attempt to perform an abortion. Article 449 states that anyone who, through food, beverages, medication, procedures, violence or other means, causes or attempts to cause the abortion of a pregnant or allegedly pregnant woman may face between one and five years in prison, along with a fine ranging from 200 to 500 dirhams.

The provision applies whether or not the woman has consented to the abortion.

The legislation provides for substantially heavier penalties when the procedure results in the woman’s death. In such circumstances, the prison sentence can rise to between 10 and 20 years.

Article 450 further increases the penalties when the person performing the acts described in the previous provision does so habitually. In the circumstances covered by the first paragraph of Article 449, the prison term is doubled. Where the abortion results in death, the applicable prison sentence can rise to between 20 and 30 years.

A continuing debate over women’s reproductive rights

The renewed appeal by the Fédération de la Ligue des droits des femmes places abortion once again within Morocco’s broader debate over women’s rights, public health and criminal law.

For the organization, changing the legal framework would contribute to protecting women from the dangers associated with clandestine and unsafe procedures while strengthening their autonomy over personal and reproductive decisions.

The issue remains closely linked to the balance between criminal legislation, health considerations and the protection of women’s rights in Morocco.