Morocco’s proposed amendments to its Family Law have sparked a heated debate, bringing to light the struggle between traditional religious beliefs and the push for gender equality. The reforms, currently under review by the highest religious authority in the country, focus on addressing issues such as women’s rights, inheritance laws, and child custody.
One of the main points of contention is women’s inheritance rights, as traditional interpretations often result in women receiving less than men. Advocates for gender equality argue that this is unjust and goes against fundamental rights, while conservative religious leaders defend the existing system citing religious texts.
The debate also extends to topics like polygamy and the age of consent for marriage. Critics argue that polygamy is discriminatory, while others push for a minimum age of 18 for marriage without exceptions.
As Morocco grapples with these complex issues, the government has consulted various stakeholders, including religious scholars and women’s rights activists. However, opposition to the proposed reforms comes from both conservative religious groups and secular activists, each arguing for different reasons why the changes are inadequate.