Mudouana

A young girl whom I am quite fond of was recently married. Her wedding was fun and went over quite successfully. Though I'm glad that the ceremony went well, I can't help but feel sad that it ever happened. I don't like that she got married because I think shes only 16(or so). She's too young to be entering into a lifelong contract that she probably didn't have any say in to begin with. (her older sister, now 22 years old, was married last summer and is now back at home because her husband beats her)
In 2004, Morocco enacted a family code called the Mudouana. This family code raises the legal age of marriage from 14 to 18. It also allows women half their husband's wealth in case of death or divorce and it makes sexual harassement an offense punishable by law. (polygamy is still allowed under the family code)
The Mudouana sounds great but the truth is that it's quite difficult to enforce, especially in little towns such as the one I live in. It is also easier to get one's way in a culture where bribing (and political fraud) are endemic. Many 14 year olds do and will continue to marry. There is still hope for those stuck in sour marriages, though. A divorce must be obtained through the courts and the husband must provide for his ex-wife. Divorce is still rare but at least now the woman won't have prostitution as her only resort. If a woman in a bad marriage(ex: her husband beats her) had no family to care for her she either put up with the marriage or had to work. Women in cities were likely to be literate and thus not have to resort to prostitution as their livelihood.
The Mudouana strives to protect women's rights and to liberalize them (a bit) from their previous confines. Women have been making great strides in Moroccan society in the last few years. I only hope that this trend will continue.
To read the Mudouana go here: http://hrea.org/moudawana.html

Update

I know that I have been terrible about writing on this thing. I was rather busy recently and frankly, the internet has been less then good as of late. I apologize (really i shouldn't be making excuses) but will briefly tell you about what's been happening.
First of all, Ramadan has commenced once again. Saturday was the first day of this month of fasting. I saw two shooting stars on saturday night and have taken that to be a good omen for this month :) I am still fasting (now four days in) and hope to continue to do so for the entire month. I am going all out and abstaining from water as well as from food.
Ok. So before Ramadan my friends and I took a wonderful vacation and went to a small mediterranean beach town called Ras Lma. I will post some photos up soon. It was a great vaccation. Before that, a bunch of peace corps volunteers (myself included) helped out at a SIDA booth in Boulmane. We educated people about the disease and enjoyed the Boulmane berber festival :)
All has been well and I promise to write again soon (internet permitting).