BySCEME
New Moroccan Constitution makes changes to promote Gender Equality
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| Moroccan Women gather at a conference in Marrakesh |
The June 2011 Moroccan Constitution outlined a series of new reforms centred around the promotion of good governance, freedom of speech and the importance of gender-equality. Previously women’s issues had gone unnoticed in the country, having little or no place in Morocco’s legislation. However, these new reforms are taking groups that have historically been ignored and ‘placing them at the forefront of the country’s politics’ explains Fatima Sadiqi of the Kaleej Times.
Morocco’s Berber population has also been fighting for their rights – demanding that Berber be recognised as an official language alongside Arabic. ‘The fate of women has been closely tied to the fate of the Berber population throughout Morocco’s history’ said Sadiqi. The past couple of months have seen an active unification of both Berber and Women’s Rights groups in Morocco who have joined forces as a means of promoting change within their communities.
The new constitution aims to promote women’s rights by giving them more control over their lives. It is actively encouraging the creation of women’s organisations in addition to providing women with more solid legal rights in the areas of divorce and child custody. Whilst in theory these moves are all incredibly positive, what is important now is their practical imposition. Communities will have to work together to ensure that these new laws are enforced and not merely words on a document.
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| A Berber women in her home |
Sadly, Morocco has one the highest rates of female illiteracy in the MENA region – this has automatically put women in a disadvantaged position. There still the remains the issue of the cultural expectations of women, and in order for these reforms to work, society will have to quickly shift its practises on gender inequality. Many women living in Morocco’s most rural communities are unable to gain access to any form of media outlet and are unsure of what rights they actually possess. In order for these reforms to work, more focus needs to be placed upon improving literacy rates among women as well creating a situation where the media can reach those even in the most rural of settings. Education is undoubtedly the quickest road to change.
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