Speaking last Saturday as part of a round table organized by the Parity and equality forum of PPS on the new features of the Moudawana, Nouzha Skalliformer minister and president of theassociation Awal Houriateset Rachida Tahirigeneral secretary of the Association, pleaded for an overhaul of the Family Codebased on the values of justice, equality and human dignity.
In this context, Ms Skalli initially criticized the lack of clarity and consultation which remains on a certain number of points. Out of 139 areas planned for reform, only 17 have been made public, without concrete measures to meet the expectations of progressive movements, she said.
At the same time, she pointed out several gaps in the data available on the Moroccan familythus deploring the absence of recent studies on this subject. According to this former minister responsible for family and solidarity, these inadequacies hinder the development of public policies capable of reflecting the socio-economic realities and profound changes of the Moroccan family. In addition, Nouzha Skalli reiterated her position for the abolition of discriminatory practices such aslegacy par agnation (bigotry), which, according to her, has no religious basis, while calling for the removal of the exceptional conditions allowing the marriage before the age of 18.
Regarding the polygamyMs. Skalli invoked an informed reading of the Koranquoting the verse: “You can never be fair among your wives.” She thus called for a modern and inclusive interpretation of religious textsin line with Morocco’s constitutional and international commitments. To conclude, Ms. Skalli urged the Council of Ulemas to provide clear solutions to these problems, by calling on the political partiesnotably the Democratsto share their position with more courage.
-An inclusive and transparent dialogue
For his part, Rachida Tahirigeneral secretary of the Awal Houriates association, pleaded for the elimination of all forms of male domination with a view to establishing balanced parity between men and women in all areas of society. Because the proposed reform recommendations “fall below the expectations of the women’s movement,” she lamented. This expert in gender approach thus called for an inclusive dialogue, but above all for a real political will to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of this reform. According to her, institutions and decision-makers must prioritize the general interest, which requires the establishment of effective equality.
Denouncing the use of the expression “adulterous child”, Rachida Tahiri recommended a “proper reform in line with reality, far from any schizophrenic position”, specifying that the Moroccan Constitution provides in its article 32 that the The State “guarantees equal legal protection and equal social and moral consideration to all children, regardless of their family situation.” She therefore urged the authorities to align national legislation with the principles of human rightsrecalling that the optional protocol to the CEDAW is an integral part of the Moroccan law.
Call for collective mobilization
Faced with resistance, Nouzha Skalli et Rachida Tahiri invited the progressive parties, the organizations of the civil society and researchers to step up their efforts to counter conservative campaigns aimed at maintaining the status quo. The two speakers thus called for a profound and inclusive overhaul of the Family Codebased on the values of justice, equality and human dignity, to meet the needs of a Moroccan society constantly evolving.
