A few days after the release of the “Global Gender Gap Report 2023” ranking Morocco as 136th out of 146 countries, feminist activists from the “Hiya” movement staged a sit-in in Casablanca demanding urgent reforms to improve women’s rights in Morocco. The protest emphasized the need for significant changes to the Moudawana family law.
The “Hiya” movement–comprised of many associations and individuals from both genders–took to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and to fight for a legal, economic, and social climate that is conducive to gender equality. They advocated for a Family Law that outlaws child marriage, prioritizes children’s best interests, and respects the value of women’s achievements within the household.
This nascent movement advocates the revision of divorce procedures, introduction of shared parental responsibility, development of adequate protection against violence and femicide, and legalization of voluntary abortion. They also stressed the significance of humane reform of the Penal Code to bring it in line with constitutional principles and international standards, with the primary objectives of protecting individual civil liberties and combating child abuse.
Last year, the King expressed his support for a revision within the law to grant more rights to women. Despite these promises, reforms have yet to be implemented.