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2012-07-30
Maghreb organisations seek end to domestic violence
By Mohamed Saadouni in Casablanca and Nazim Fethi in Algiers for Magharebia – 30/07/12
Violence against women is rampant across the Maghreb, according to recent findings.
Sixty per cent of Moroccan women are victims of physical abuse, Solidarity, Women and Family Minister Bassima Hakkoui said on July 2nd. About six million women between the ages of 18-45 endured some form of violence, the minister said in Skhirat.
The rising numbers are due to illiteracy, poverty, educational level and complex of inferiority among women, the minister explained.
![[AFP/Abdelhak Senna] Minister of Solidarity, Women and Family Bassima Hakkoui recently revealed the latest statistics on domestic violence in Morocco.](/awi/images/2012/07/30/120730Feature2Photo1-650_429.jpg)
Almost two-thirds of cases occur in urban areas, the High Planning Commission concluded in a recent study.
"It is difficult to control the rates of sexual, physical and psychological violence against girls and women out of wedlock and in the public space because it has become a reality we live on a daily basis," said Atifa Tamjerdine, the co-ordinator of the National Network of Listening Centres for Women Victims of Violence, "Anaruz".
Half of the cases of violence against married women are acts of sexual abuse.
"Violence against women takes many forms, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape, and this, in my view, infringes on one of the fundamental human rights," Tamjerdine told Magharebia.
Underage marriage is a growing phenomenon in Morocco, according to Tamjerdine. Thirty-six per cent of girls under 18 seek help at listening centres.
Marital rape is another form of violence that Moroccan women endure, according to Moroccan Association for Women's Rights (AMDF) chief Najat Razi.
The rising numbers prove that women have been able to communicate their voice and suffering, Democratic League for Women's Rights (LDDF) chief Fouzia Assouli told Magharebia.
She called for a comprehensive law to combat gender-based violence.
"The masculine view is dominant, unfortunately," she said. "Even when matters reach the policeman, the judge and the lawyer, they ask: 'What's wrong? Your husband hit you. It's just your husband.' As though the husband hitting the wife is commonplace, accepted and a duty!"
Algeria's Wassila network has published a book about violence against women.
Statistics on gender violence, "remain inaccurate, given that they cover a period of no more than six months", said sociologist Dalila Djerbal, a member of the network.
Many women "avoid reporting it" out of fear of divorce and physical violence, said Djafri Djadi, who chairs the Algerian Observatory of Women (OAF).
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POST YOUR COMMENT 4
أوباها حسين 2013-2-28
I sent an article about Basri in the media but it wasn't published. Anyway, I will share my opinion about violence against women in saying to my friends in Magharebia and assuring them that violence affects only poor women who hail from average-income families. This is because the poor man marries the poor woman. Differences and disputes arise when financial and sexual differences, problems of crowded families in the same house, numerous children and family burdens which are evaded by the ministry of finance to contribute to the enrichment of the force-fed, impoverishment of the poor and ordinary people who mind only their business, I say when the husband or wife is strangled because of lack of resources. I draw the attention of readers to the fact that there are no disputes in courts between the rich and families benefiting from the resources of the state. So can a sexually-violent man abuse of a woman minister, lawyer, judge or a very rich man's daughter? Anyone who watches Kheit Labyad (The white Thread) programme or other crime programmes will see only people from the outskirts of the city who are drowned in problems exploited by the channel. My brothers, anything that happens to women occurs in poor milieu. High-class women can with their influence change and men as well. Studies and analyses focus only on the vulnerable in countries which neglect salaries, encourage loan institutions, early expulsion from schools because of school drop-outs agreed upon between education workers from both genders. The most mundane problems are embraced by the poor of the two sexes because high class people, cover and change facts at any time secretly.
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فاطمة 2013-2-25
Hi! First of all, I would like to say to men who abuse women, fear God! I would like to note that Morocco hasn't yet reached solutions to stop or limit domestic violence. Finally, I would like to say to men that marital relationship is based on love and trust not beating and insult. If you want to show off your muscles, I suggest you use a wall or join a boxing and wrestling club. Remember my brother, every time you inflict harm to a woman's body, that the day will come when someone will break your bones. Thank you! See you soon God willing!
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mohamed 2012-11-3
This is very beautiful.
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salim 2012-8-6
Ladies and gentlemen – Violence against women is an issue of education, understanding and sacrifice. Each of us needs to give in somewhat to others so that each of us can live in ease with others in peace and vice versa. In the other case, if a woman and a man cannot stand each other, then we need to take precautions before marriage and before having children. – Thank you
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