DUBAI (Mustapha Ajbaili)
On the five year anniversary of a controversial new family law code, Berber activists say that they have fewer rights and freedoms than they did before Moroccan independence, calling the 2004 code a step backward not forward.
The family code, widely known by its Arabic name Mudawana, was enacted in 2004 to update an existing 46-year old set of laws in a move the government said was aimed at improving gender equality and protecting womens rights but that activists reject as less stringent than their traditional laws.
" Very significant in the history of Moroccan women, in the sense that they grant equity, justice and dignity to women "
Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The new laws granted women the right to seek divorce and placed strict limitations on polygamy. It also required a husband and a wife to equally divide their assets after divorce and it established punishments to protect women against violence and harassments.
The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the changes on its website as very significant in the history of Moroccan women, in the sense that they grant equity, justice and dignity to women.
But Amina Bencheikh, member of the Royal Institute for the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), said the changes in the family law were not significant because Amazigh customary laws (before they were removed) already guarantee all these rights for women.
Amazigh women dance face-covered, striking balance between religion and culture
The Berber tradition is rich, open and far more democratic in its treatment to women than current government laws, Bencheikh stressed.
Suite et fin : http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/05/31/74416.html
On the five year anniversary of a controversial new family law code, Berber activists say that they have fewer rights and freedoms than they did before Moroccan independence, calling the 2004 code a step backward not forward.
The family code, widely known by its Arabic name Mudawana, was enacted in 2004 to update an existing 46-year old set of laws in a move the government said was aimed at improving gender equality and protecting womens rights but that activists reject as less stringent than their traditional laws.
" Very significant in the history of Moroccan women, in the sense that they grant equity, justice and dignity to women "
Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The new laws granted women the right to seek divorce and placed strict limitations on polygamy. It also required a husband and a wife to equally divide their assets after divorce and it established punishments to protect women against violence and harassments.
The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the changes on its website as very significant in the history of Moroccan women, in the sense that they grant equity, justice and dignity to women.
But Amina Bencheikh, member of the Royal Institute for the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), said the changes in the family law were not significant because Amazigh customary laws (before they were removed) already guarantee all these rights for women.
Amazigh women dance face-covered, striking balance between religion and culture
The Berber tradition is rich, open and far more democratic in its treatment to women than current government laws, Bencheikh stressed.
Suite et fin : http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/05/31/74416.html
