Child marriage in Morocco criticised
2009-05-05
Moroccan women's rights organisations call for action to be taken against child marriage.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 05/05/09
 [Getty Images] Extreme poverty leads families to marry off their underage daughters, experts in Morocco say. |
Moroccan associations and human rights organisations want the practice of child marriage to stop. Campaigners from various associations recently criticised the way the Moudawana (Family Code), which was intended to limit child marriages, has been applied.
The legal minimum age for marriage in Morocco is 18 years, although family judges are empowered to allow exceptions. This loophole has enabled thousands of families to marry off their daughters prematurely.
According to figures from the justice ministry, over 31,000 under-age girls were married in 2008, compared with 29,847 in 2007.
Fouzia Assouli, chair of the Democratic League of Women's Rights, stressed that reform of the family code must take place now to restrict and clearly define the judges' powers regarding child marriage.
"Five years after the new family code was passed, Moroccans have certainly grasped the great importance of women's rights, but we're still lagging behind society's expectations," she said.
Samira Boufaracha, who belongs to the association Together for Women's Development, stated that the basis upon which exemptions are granted by judges is often unclear. "Almost every request is granted, which just encourages families to continue this practice, even though when the Moudawana first came in, we thought things would change."
The Moroccan Women's Democratic Association's legal chair Saïda Amrani Idrissi said that the law gives judges tremendous room for manoeuvre.
The justice minister says that judges are not automatically granting permission for child marriages, citing the 7% of requests that are rejected.
"The fact that some requests are rejected proves that approval is not a foregone conclusion. Requests are granted according to the particular social situation of the girls concerned," stated Justice Minister Abdelwahed Radi.
Jamal Badaoui, a sociologist, explained to Magharebia that it is proving difficult to change Moroccan attitudes overnight, particularly in rural areas. "Mindsets are much harder to change than laws. Parents living in the midst of poverty and illiteracy continue to believe that girls must be married off as soon as possible. They can't imagine a future outside marriage."
He added that things would not change unless there are targeted public awareness campaigns to explain the harm caused by early marriage and to stress the importance of learning in girls' lives, both in urban and country areas. "An improvement in families' economic circumstances will also help to limit the phenomenon. In fact, there is a series of causes on which the authorities and civil society must take action to change the situation."
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fd Posted 2009-05-05
It is always about religion – which is just a man’s fantasy. Where is the equality of women, men? Where are women’s rights!?!
Eng.Hasan Al-Bahkali Posted 2009-05-06
The marriage of underage girls has spread in Arab countries. It has become a game as a result of poverty or excessive richness. This has caused the loss of the rights of marriage, breach of the dignity of man (child) and breach of his rights. Engineer Hasan Al-Bahkali.
سمراي Posted 2009-05-06
As it is known, marriage is a social link between man and woman. It was stipulated by divine laws especially Islam which took due care of it. It considers it half religion as the messenger, peace and prayer of God be upon him, said marriage is half religion. We Muslims are very different from other peoples in our marriage. Marriage is not just to satisfy our sexual requirements between spouses, it is also for the protection of procreation and its continuity so that generations keep on living, life continues on earth in a balanced way free of curves. With the advent of Islam, it granted women rights which were not known by humanity in its history, law or philosophies. The rights of this woman were swallowed. She was sold and bought like a merchandise in the market. Islam gave her its rights and extracted her from slavery to freedom and liberation. It has recommended well of her in the saying of the messenger, peace and prayer of God be upon him, “Be good to women” and in another Hadith “Be gentle to women”. It has subjugated man in his marriage to woman to a dowry and fulfillment of rights according to the saying of God the Almighty “And give women their dowries as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result”, (Annissa: 4), upgrading her rank and dignifying her as a sought person not seeking in order to build the family under the umbrella of legitimacy which respects the rights and obligations of both spouses. Let's contemplate the Hadith of the messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon, “They are dignified by a honourable men and insulted only by evil men”. Marriage is not limited by age for women. It is associated with menstruation and maturity. In some regions featured by the hot weather, their women are mature at an early age, they have a strong body. A ten year old girl looks like a mature girl in cold areas who is in the twenties or more. The problem with us Muslims is that we haven't yet understood our tolerant religion. Imitation is blind. It is not eyes that are blind but hearts which are in the breasts. The promiscuity of Muslims with the west for conditions imposed by times and areas, current international pressures – you are either with us or against us – has certainly influenced us highly. Instead of influencing them with our right and correct religion, they influenced us. So we have become running after them like dogs.
maro Posted 2009-05-06
its not about marriage at all...its about wanting young girls to have sex with thats all...so get your head out of the clouds...and stop this pheaophileier I give you some advice don,t marry until you are at least 18 years old...have some freedom first..don,t get stuck in the kitchen plenty of time for that..there is a whole new world out there...let this message be seen..let young girls read this..
Caroline Posted 2009-05-07
Following the victory of France’s Family Planning (Planning Familial), which received a budget to continue, a national mobilisation to defend women’s rights is being organised for the beginning of 2009. A conglomerate formed of unions, organisation and parties has been created and a protest will take place in Paris next October. In order to take part in this, write us at http://mobilisationdroitsdesfemmes.over-blog.com.
madrid900 Posted 2009-05-07
Excuse me, poverty and misery make you do anything. May God adjust things. Before reforming Morocco his country, he must reform his administration and people who steal funds of our people.
elfaouz abdelkrim Posted 2009-05-09
I am against the marrying off of our daughters after age 18. This is for the simple reason that at age 14 they are completely ripe. If not married then, then at the age of 16 she is going to for looking for boyfriend and possible get three or four abortions by age 18 and then be lost, that is: a single mother. This is exactly what Moudawana encourages – the existence of whores.
غزلان Posted 2009-05-10
By God, this is ridiculous. Whenever the name of Morocco is mentioned, it is accompanied with marriage to the point they say that Moroccans after men for marriage on Star Ac and other programmes.
britncanada Posted 2009-05-11
I still hold true to girls marrying AFTER the age of 18 yrs... do they not know what self control is? You save yourself until marriage AFTER 18 years thats it end of story.....very simple
مريم Posted 2009-05-12
Right off the bat I would like to point out that Islam is not to be put into question. Islam has nothing to do with marrying off minors! The truth is, girls are mature enough at age 16, especially in Morocco, but Moudawana is a good thing, a good step toward development for Morocco. It allows us to protect our daughters in some way.
Adel Posted 2009-05-14
Marriage in islam is a holy reunion between a male and a female, however due to some appaling circumstances that put pressure on a lot of people changes do happen and everything is expectable even girls in their early teens to be future mothers or sex-giving beings. As long as it's acting within the islamic doctrine and chari3a it's absolutely legitimized as long as they will be treated justly in their homes. however when it comes to maturity, a 10 year old female can't offer much to running a household but only a few moments of exctacy. so we have to admit that sex is a great part of it. it drives some individuals mad to such a young so called "spouse" on bad. i wish we are no sex perverts. human and especially child rights organizations should look closely at this phenomenon and impose strict rules to such a marrige. in short, investigate what is happening behind doors.
حبيب Posted 2009-05-15
When we talk about early marriage, we talk about the movement of the girl from a stage of irresponsibility to a more rational and responsible phase. In that period, woman becomes responsible for educating children. So I think early marriage is better than sitting in front of TV, shifting between libertine and pornographic channels as all means are provided to the girl for depravity. As to liberalisation advocated by Moroccan organization which imitate its western counterparts, their objective is depravity and immorality. Look at what our educated girls do in universities, schools and at work. Immorality in the streets to the point that the flesh of woman has become cheaper than beef or lamb. This is what the depraved family code wants. Law is necessary and we must implement it. However, there are specificities, traditions and an identity which we Moroccans must consider. The judge doesn't have wide powers in the marriage of underage girls. There is social research and a medical examination which take into consideration the age of the girl who will marry. The age of married girls range between 16 and 18. For a girl, the house of her husband is better than the deceptive mazes of the street. You see that there are unmarried mothers who are under eighteen. Who is responsible for this moral depravity? We are responsible for the failing education of our sons. The problem is not early marriage. The problem is the complex mental structure which has moved far from the Islamic traditional identity. It has become looking for its self in the identity of the west and imitate it. If we want to set up a law, we must take into consideration the structure and identity of the society and preserve its identity. This is the core of the topic. There is a 17 year-old-girl who is incapable of marriage while there is a girl who is 15 and is capable of marriage. The criterion is not age. The criterion is the capability of the girl to marry. When the girl reaches 20, the possibilities of her marriage diminish. Therefore, it enters the phase of spinsterhood. Spinsterhood is in turn one of the serious problems faced by society in general as it has worse consequences. I bet on preserving our identity and preserving the specificities of every tribe. I consider the law as a relative deterrent. There are cases in which early marriage should be accepted and there are cases in which it should be refused according to the research of the judge. Wider powers should be granted to the judge according to the social research and his discretion.
britncanada Posted 2009-05-17
You save yourself until marriage AFTER 18 years thats it end of story.....very simple
hyatt Posted 2009-05-20
It seems to me that prostitution is quite prevalent in Morocco and who are the clients? Men and boys. Why are girls who wish to get married past the age of 18 because they want to go to school and possibly start a career labeled as whores, while it continues to be perfectly acceptable for men and boys to frequent prostitutes? This is a contradiction that makes a mockery of Islam. Islam is a beautiful religion, do not use it to justify ugly statements, discrimination, and abuse to girl children. There is no appropriate or justifiable reason why a girl needs to be married before the age of 18.
rade Posted 2009-06-07
They need to live.
طارق اوزوكو Posted 2009-06-09
The problem experienced now is the reluctance of man to marry. Why don't make statistics about the number of spinsters in Morocco after the adoption of the family code? You will certainly see something odd.
asmae Posted 2009-06-11
A man 37 proposed to me. I am 17. Honestly, I am very stressed. I don't know what to do. I don't want to marry him because he is older than me. I say we may not understand each other. Please I don't know what to do. I want you to help me.
Ania Posted 2009-06-20
Do not get in a rush. You have all of your life in front of you! You are still young. Why marry a man 20 years your senior?
hajarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Posted 2009-06-23
Hi Mr El Faouri Abdlkrim. I don't agree with your idea because if a 14 year old girl marries, she would not have taken her rights. This means she has not spent her adolescence. This might affect her after marriage especially if her husband considers her like a maid at home, she can commit adultery and ultimately the family will be torn up. I am 19 and I still don't want to marry. May be you want to know why. I haven't yet found who is pious and respectful. You are also 26 which means you can marry but you cannot bear responsibility. You are not mature. Finally, being married is similar to being single. Everyone has his responsibility. In my opinion, there are some men who are married and still interested in girls in the age of their daughter. This is just an advice. We aren't up to the responsibility to build society constructively and preserve our religion. Blind imitation ruined us and we are still in this backwardness. Excuse me, this is just discussion, I don't generalize for all girls or boys. An interesting topic, Morocco.
Musa Posted 2009-06-26
Ma Salaama. Quran and Hadith people, the answers are right there.
Vassephardi Posted 2009-07-25
This is my first time making a comment. What is this situation? Should people be forced to mary at a young age by culture? Why are men looking for young girls? Maybe they feel pressured by society and that's how they were raised? I knew an 11 year old girl who wanted to marry a 25 year old man and told her mother that if she wasn't allowed to marry she'd run away with him. I knew a 12 year old girl who's boyfriend was 37. These girls WANTED these men. We should get the entire picture before making conclusions.
منية Posted 2009-08-02
It is better that she marries, otherwise she goes to prostitution at an early age or tries to find love and affection with a teenager. Don't you see schools and secondary schools? How many girls are accompanied by teenagers? She kisses him openly. A girl who is 12 or less looks for a mate. I am talking as a witness of that.
saido Posted 2009-08-14
Long live freedom!
عزيزي Posted 2009-08-28
I don't see any objection to marriage of girls at the age of sixteen because the girl of the 21st century isn't the same as the girl of the 20th century. This is because the progress of information technologies, internet and satellite channels for the worst and for the best made all teenager boys and girls run after pornographic films and clip videos...
Mounir Posted 2009-08-30
I can't judge because i dont know the conditions these people are living in but from my own experiences with my moroccan grandmother who married at age 13, it seems girls need time to grow up and mature a little more before they are married off. My grandmother is old now but she has very immature habits that she never grew out of. These young girls are probably not well versed in the quran and do not understand the value of marriage yet. and the men who actually marry them must be ignorant to think they could handle the immaturity of a girl. Your trying to get married not spend all your time raising a little girl.
hassana Posted 2009-10-16
CHILD MARRIAGE IS HARAM. SCIENTIFICALLY THE WOMAN'S BODY CAN'T COPE WITH PREGNANCY AT INFANT STAGE MAY DIE OR LOSS THEIR CHILDREN. IF A WOMAN DOES NOT WANT TO MARRY AND IS FORCED THIS IS HARAM. THIS IS THE DEVILS WORK AND IT HAPPENS ACROSS THE WORLD NOT ONLY IN MOROCCCO!!!!!!!
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