Hanan Hart

Morocco — The issue of women’s rights in Morocco appears today to be at a delicate crossroads, caught between official discourse affirming commitment to reform and a growing public debate on equality and justice within the family and society, while fundamental questions remain unresolved, awaiting clear legislative answers.

This situation brings back to the forefront the problem of the gap between political declarations of intent and their translation into public policies and enforceable legislation—especially in light of the profound transformations affecting the Moroccan family and the increasing demands of women for full recognition of their rights both within and beyond the legal framework. Between the optimism suggested by certain indicators and the legitimate caution shaped by past experiences, the need emerges for a critical reading of the reform trajectory throughout 2025.

The year was marked by unprecedented momentum in public debate around several laws directly related to women’s conditions, foemost among them the revision of the Family Code, yet this momentum has not translated into final legal texts presented to Parliament.

 

“What Has Been Achieved Cannot Be Described as Complete Gains”

Bouchra Abdo, President of the Challenge Association for Equality and Citizenship, believes that assessing 2025 should be done “through the lens of process rather than results,” considering that what has been achieved cannot be described as complete gains, but rather as the opening of major reform initiatives led by the feminist movement to push toward more just and equitable laws.

She stated that 2025 was not a year of final decisions, but rather a year of broad public debate on women’s position within the legal system. She noted that several legal texts, including the law on alternative penalties and the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code, reopened questions of social justice and equality before the law. However, from the feminist movement’s perspective, these remain insufficient unless they are linked to deep reform of the Family Code.

Abdo emphasized that revising the Family Code represents the cornerstone of any genuine reform concerning women, stressing that announcing certain proposals does not necessarily mean fully responding to feminist demands—particularly in the absence of a clear and finalized legal text.

She explained that listening to the demands of civil society organizations is a positive step, but that the real challenge lies in the boldness of the expected reforms and their ability to break away from the logic of exception that has undermined the essence of equality for decades.

She also noted that the committee tasked with reviewing the Family Code listened to proposals from civil society, the feminist movement, and various political actors, expressing hope that this review will result in fair laws that enshrine equality and parity and respect human rights without discrimination within the family.

Among the key demands of the feminist movement are the complete abolition of polygamy and child marriage, the establishment of joint legal guardianship between mothers and fathers, and the guarantee of the best interests of the child. She stressed that these issues can no longer be postponed in light of the social transformations Moroccan society is undergoing.

Regarding economic rights, Abdo believes that the debate around the division of marital property remains limited, despite being one of the most significant issues related to the vulnerability women face after divorce. She stressed that recognizing unpaid domestic labor is a fundamental step toward achieving justice within the family, rather than an additional privilege granted to women, as it is sometimes portrayed.

 

Limited Legal Texts in Providing Effective Protection

On the issue of violence against women, Abdo stated that 2025 once again confirmed the limitations of existing legal texts in providing effective protection. She argued that Law No. 103.13 on combating violence against women requires genuine amendment to become more effective and protective, noting that the gap between legislation and implementation persists—both in terms of access to justice and victim support.

She called for a comprehensive review of the legal framework that takes new developments into account, particularly digital violence, stressing that the time has come to enact a specific law addressing this form of violence due to its severity and increasing prevalence among women and girls.

At the public and media levels, she observed that women’s issues have become more visible compared to previous years, but are often addressed in temporary or event-driven contexts, without deepening the discussion on the roots of structural discrimination. She affirmed that strengthening women’s presence in media and society remains contingent on legal reforms, particularly electoral law reform, in line with Article 19 of the Constitution and the activation of the principle of parity.

Abdo stressed that the media is a key partner in the process of change, but must move from mere coverage to accountability and analysis. She emphasized that the coming phase requires clear political will to translate open debates into fair legislation, noting that just laws are not the end of the road, but a fundamental condition for changing women’s reality.

In conclusion, Bouchra Abdo reaffirmed that the main challenge heading into 2026 lies in the adoption of fair and protective laws. She highlighted the role of socialization institutions—education, media, and political parties—in entrenching a culture of equality and rejecting violence and discrimination, stating: “Just laws remain a fundamental pillar for changing mindsets and building a society based on dignity and justice.