80 listening sessions and over 1,500 associations appeared before family code reform body

Since early November, the body responsible for revising Morocco’s Family Code, acting on instructions of the King, began holding hearings with various political and civil society actors.

These consultations aim to gather proposals and visions for a crucial reform, in order to align the provisions of the “Moudawana” with the evolution of Moroccan society and the imperatives of sustainable development.

The hearings involved representatives of civil society as well as major political parties such as the Progress and Socialism Party (PPS), the Democratic Forces Front (FFD), the United Socialist Party (PSU), the Federation of the Democratic Left (FGD), the National Rally of Independents (RNI), and the Istiqlal Party (PI).

Each party had the opportunity to present its proposals and perspectives on the revision of the Family Code.

The PPS stressed the need for a comprehensive revision based on the Constitution, while the FFD insisted on preserving the dignity of women and the rights of children.

The PSU saw the revision as a crucial step for the Kingdom, while the FGD put forward recommendations aimed at resolving the dysfunctions of the current text.

For its part, the RNI recalled the regulatory advances of the last two decades, in particular the 2004 Family Code and the 2011 Constitution. It also highlighted the difficulties of implementing the Code, despite this notable progress.

The IP put forward proposals aimed at strengthening family cohesion, safeguarding children’s interests and consolidating women’s rights, while respecting Sharia law and jurisprudence.

The President of the RNI National Women’s Federation stressed the importance of previous reforms, notably the 2004 Family Code and the 2011 Constitution, which have significantly improved the situation of families in Morocco.

It recalled the King’s repeated calls to revise the Family Code to remedy implementation difficulties, and put forward proposals emphasizing equity, shared responsibility, family solidarity and the protection of children’s rights.

The Forum also heard from the Conseil Supérieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire (CSPJ). CSPJ Secretary General Mounir El Mountassir Billah identified dysfunctions requiring legislative intervention.

He stressed the importance of rectifying the shortcomings to ensure proper implementation of the Family Code. This approach is part of the CSPJ’s commitment to the King’s social initiative aimed at perfecting Morocco’s legal arsenal.

The Forum’s coordinator, Mohamed Abdennabaoui, underlined the deep awareness and active commitment of all players in the process. He noted the importance of guaranteeing family stability while preserving the dignity of women and the best interests of children.

This participatory dynamic reflects the desire to perfect Morocco’s legal arsenal, in line with social aspirations and developments in Moroccan society, he stressed.

The reform of Morocco’s Family Code is thus being approached with seriousness and responsibility, demonstrating the collective will to create a legal framework better adapted to today’s needs, while preserving the fundamental values of society.

These hearings mark an important stage in the revision process, underlining the importance attached to family stability, gender equity and children’s rights.

In detail, over 80 hearing sessions have been organized to date, totalling almost 80 hours of exchanges.

These sessions, the results of which have been “very positive”, offered the opportunity to hear the testimonies of over 1,500 associations, either individually or within coordinations and collectives involved in the fields of family, women and children, he emphasized.

The Forum also heard from representatives of 21 political parties, six official institutions and 10 human rights associations.

Abdennabaoui stressed that “the associative landscape covers a very broad spectrum”, hence the importance of gathering the opinions of as many associations as possible.