Advancing Women’s Rights Legally and Literary
Morocco
Connectin Group Conference on the reform of the family law
The Kingdom of Morocco’s economic and political development over the past 20 years is nothing less than remarkable, especially on the regional level. It recently found global recognition when the country was awarded the co-organisation of the FIFA World Cup 2030.
Morocco is also advancing on human rights in general and on women’s rights in particular. Women enjoy equal access to all functions in political and economic life. Although there is anything but parity in management positions, there are numerous female CEOs and ministers. Women of legal age have no guardian and enjoy freedom to travel and to choose their profession. These supposedly trivial rights cannot be taken for granted in many countries of the Arab-speaking world. Yet, discrimination against women persists, deeply rooted in both law and culture. The marriage of minor girls, an unfair inheritance system, the redlining of single mothers and domestic violence are just some of the hotly debated issues. To tackle some of these, Morocco is currently reforming its family law in a note-worthy nation-wide discussion process.
Connecting Group and FNF presenting their reform proposals to the media
Members of Connectin Group working on their legal proposals
The Olive Wrtiters Creative Writing Camp
Against this background, FNF and its partner organization Connecting Group have contributed to this process by elaborating the Declaration of Rabat, a comprehensive law reform proposal, which calls e.g. for the unconditional repeal of the marriage of minors, the right for mothers to represent their child legally and to keep child custody when marrying again. These proposals were discussed in person with the Minister of Justice and the other members of a commission in charge of the reform process.
Laws reflect culture; both can only progress together. This is why FNF and the local NGO the Olive Writers work at changing attitudes and beliefs using the powerful language of arts. Each year, they bring a group of aspiring writers together for a 9-day writing residency. This year’s theme “Women Writing Our Lives” inspired the young authors to explore the importance women have in their lives and to reflect on their situation in society. The short stories and poems resulting from this residency are published in an anthology.
With these legal and literary contributions, FNF and its civil society partners help shape an ongoing social debate, which testifies to Morocco’s sincere desire to continue its successful development in recent years.
The Olive Writers Summer Camp 2024 - "Women inspiring our lives"
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