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Rabat — Divorce has become a common sight in Morocco as there were over 24,000 cases of mutual divorce and 341 cases of revocable divorce set against the backdrop of 249,089 marriage contracts registered in 2023, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said on Monday.
Speaking through spokesman Mustapha Baitas, the minister explained that steps are being taken to address the issue.
“Raising awareness about marriage preparation, improving family mediation in courts, and boosting the role of social support offices are some of the measures,” he said during a parliamentary session on the topic.
While the numbers are stark, they point to real families struggling to stay together.
Judges are tasked with helping spouses find common ground, even bringing in family members or experts to mediate disputes. Efforts to reconcile couples are part of Morocco’s Family Code.
But reconciliation is proving a tough road as fewer reconciliation certificates are being issued. Back in 2016, over 20,000 couples reconciled. By 2021, that number had dropped to 15,000.
Read also: King Mohammed VI Instructs Holistic Approach for Family Code Revision
Aziza Hendaz, the head of the specialized Public Prosecution Division at the Public Prosecution Office, says family mediation could be key.
At a conference on International Women’s Day in March last year, Hendaz stressed that mediation could be a tool to solve disputes without going to court, along with dialogue and negotiation which can help rebuild trust and keep families together.
“Mediation protects families from breaking apart,” she said. It is seen as a way to avoid court cases’ emotional and financial toll.
Meanwhile, Morocco is making some adjustments to the family code to protect families.
The new proposals, which aim to secure stability and promote fairness, were presented to King Mohammed VI on Monday by the team tasked with reviewing the Code.
Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said the goal is to “keep the spirit of reform alive” and ensure the Family Code works well for all Moroccans.
The reforms focus on supporting women’s rights, safeguarding children, and respecting men’s dignity.
Ouahbi explained, “These proposals focus on preserving the reformist approach of the Family Code and achieving the goals set by the King. This includes family stability, strengthening women’s rights, protecting men’s dignity, and safeguarding children’s interests.”
He added that the reforms strive to balance modern social changes with Morocco’s religious and international commitments.
The proposals were discussed during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Casablanca. The King has called for reforms that reflect Morocco’s values while addressing today’s challenges.
