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