Morocco wants to reform marriage of minors – DW – December 24, 2024

Morocco’s justice and Islamic affairs ministers announced major changes to the country’s family law on Tuesday.

The initiative aims to make over 100 changes to current law that would also give women more rights in disputes over child custody and guardianship, as well as a veto on polygamous marriage.

This is Morocco’s first review of its family law in 20 years.

Women’s rights activists have long been calling for a revision of the regulations on the rights of women and children in the family. Their demands focus on full equality in inheritance and custody rights as well as a complete ban on child marriage.

The latest reform does not meet these requirements, but aims to modernize the legal system in the disputed areas.

For example, the Islamic inheritance rule, which gives a man twice the share of a woman, will not be abolished, but will give individuals the opportunity to pass on all their assets to their female heirs, said Justice Minister Abdelatif Ouahbi. Additionally, current laws allow children aged 15 and over to marry in exceptional cases, but the updated legislation would raise the age to 17, just one year below the general marriage age.

King still needs to agree to the changes

The initiative was presented after two years of consultations with civil society, legal and religious parties. The new legislation still requires parliamentary and royal approval, and Ouahbi has not set a timetable for the changes to take effect.

King Mohammed VI, who also serves as the country’s top religious authority, said the amended code should be based on “the principles of justice, equality, solidarity and harmony” with Islamic precepts and universal values ​​to protect the Moroccan family.

The monarch will also have the final say in disputes over the new text.

ftm/dj (AFP, Reuters)