HANAN HARITE

Morocco- A group of Moroccan women’s organizations and women activists have formed a new initiative called “Women's Coordination for a Comprehensive Amendment of the Family Code” in order to carry out activities, studies and works for having a more equal and fair family code.

 In an interview with NuJINHA, Fatima Maghnaoui, a member of the initiative, told us the initiative has been formed by Moroccan women’s organizations and feminist activists to combat all forms of discrimination against women. Noting that they have struggled for women’s fundamental rights, she said, “These women’s organizations believe that promoting women’s participation in sustainable development in Morocco is impossible without building a democratic society and that amendment of discriminatory laws and overcoming all legal, economic and social obstacles faced by women will guarantee women’s rights.”

 Underlining that the door of coordination is open to all women’s organizations and human rights organizations, Fatima Maghnaoui said, “We welcome all organizations fighting for democracy in the country. Before forming the coordination, we had meetings about the social and economic problems faced by women and the amendment of articles in the family code (the Moudawana), especially the articles about marriage and divorce. Another issue that we discussed was child custody, one of the black points in the Moroccan Family Code. We also discussed inheritance law. The Coordination Committee also calls for the amendment of Article 342 to ensure gender equality for inheritance.”

“Moroccan women have changed their status and roles in society’

 “Moroccan women have changed their status and roles in society, and they have become responsible and breadwinners for their families,” said Fatima Maghnaoui. “Now, they participate in the labor force and they are the breadwinners for their families. Although they have participated in economic and social fields, they face discrimination due to the Moudawana.”

They will fight to change the family code and more

 Fatima Maghnaoui thinks the amendment of the family code is insufficient to ensure gender equality in the country. “We need a strong and united struggle to ensure gender equality in all spheres of life. We need to change the patriarchal mentality. This is the only way to change our society. The amendment of the family code is an urgent issue for us but we must struggle more to ensure gender equality in our society.”