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Politics

Progressive Visions: Moroccan Leftist Parties Collaborate on Reforming the Family Code

Friday 22 December 2023 - 15:50

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Two of Morocco's prominent leftist political organizations, the Ittihadi National Organization of Moroccan Women (ONFI) and the Forum for Equality and Parity, joined forces this week to initiate a series of discussions aimed at comprehensively modernizing the country's Family Code.

In the wake of the recent joint political declaration by the leaders of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), committing to strengthened collaborative efforts across various societal issues and campaigns, ONFI and the Forum convened a conference titled "For a Radical and Comprehensive Reform of the Family Code."

According to the event organizers, the discussions aim to strengthen gender equity in Moroccan society and underscore the commitment of USFP and PPS to reforming the Family Code. In her opening remarks, ONFI Secretary General Hanane Rihab positioned the conference as the inaugural event in a series organized by the two organizations, emphasizing their shared values of leftism and human rights, as well as a common vision for the revision of the Family Code.

Rihab stressed that the Family Code update is a significant royal initiative that demands "a spirit of dialogue, listening, exchange, and sharing of visions around reform." She highlighted the necessity for a Code that upholds gender equality, prioritizes children's best interests, and establishes the family as a cornerstone of society. Speakers at the conference strongly denounced practices such as child marriage, polygamy, and the barriers faced by mothers in custody and alimony cases.

Forum President Charafat Afilal pointed out that the memorandums on reforms from USFP and PPS are aligned, reflecting their modernist and progressive orientations. She contested the notion that the Code only concerns women, emphasizing that it upholds Morocco's true values while raising the standard for gender equality and constitutional consistency.

The engagement featured panels discussing a range of issues, including marriage age, divorce, inheritance, child custody, shared property, and aligning the Code with Morocco's 2011 Constitution and international commitments. With King Mohammed VI initiating the legislative overhaul process, observers consider these cross-party deliberations as crucial in informing the revision of family law.