Rabat– The Justice, Legislation, and Human Rights Committee of Morocco’s House of Representatives is set to meet on January 7 to examine the long-awaited reform of the country’s Family Code (Moudawana). Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi and Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Toufiq will attend this crucial meeting to present the proposed changes amid intense public debate.
The reforms, unveiled in late December, propose significant updates, including raising the legal marriage age to 18 for both sexes, stricter regulations on polygamy and customary marriages, revisions to inheritance laws to benefit women, and expanded rights for child custody. These measures have garnered praise from women’s rights advocates but have also sparked concern among conservative groups.
The push for clarity on these changes has been driven by mounting pressure from parliamentary groups, particularly the Popular Movement (MP) led by Driss Sentissi.
Lawmakers are calling for transparency and communication to combat misinformation and ensure a constructive national dialogue.
In particular, Sentissi has emphasized that Parliament is the appropriate platform for such debates, describing the reforms as pivotal to family life in Morocco.
In light of the societal impact of the proposed changes, MPs from the MP and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) have called for an exceptional joint session of both Houses of Parliament. Rachid Hamouni, head of the PPS parliamentary group, criticized the government’s lack of effective communication, urging more proactive engagement with the public.
As Parliament prepares to scrutinize the reform, the challenge facing Moroccan legislators is finding a way to balance modernizing family laws with respecting Morocco’s cultural and religious values. The proposed changes are seen as a step forward for gender equality and social justice, but achieving consensus remains a delicate task.
Tuesday’s meeting will mark the start of a lengthy process, with lawmakers set to meticulously review the proposed amendments article by article once presented in a draft text.
