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Gender Equality in Morocco Final Essay
The majority of people in Morocco are Muslim and follow the Islamic law. Men and women each have distinct roles in Muslim societies. The men’s responsibilities are to support and protect the family while working outside of the home to be able to provide for his family. The women and wife’s role are to care for and discipline the children while maintaining home for her family and husband. Although Islamic law taught that the husband and wife were equal under god, women are subordinate to men in this patriarchal society.

Historically Muslim women have not been treated the same as men. This is justified by interpretations of the writings of the religion. The most significant writings is the Quran. The traditional society has been patriarchal and still to this day it is male dominated but less demeaning. Women were considered as property to be married or divorced at will. Most men had multiple wives with multiple off-springs from each wife. Sometimes the extended families and multiple wives all lived together in one home. Women never had a say in the choice of husband and once they were married they had no financial security. Until 1956 when Morocco won independence from France, a women’s place was in the home and she did not have a right to leave the home without permission from the man. Women’s activities included preforming household chores, embroidery and other crafts, while raising a family. Women mostly were taking care of the man, and the children, while also cooking and cleaning the house. After gaining independence from France and better understanding of the equality. They grew more recognition of women’s rights by Moroccan’s. For example, the Women were able to choose her own marriage partner and men now have a limitation on how many wives they could have. A man could have up to four wives if he could provide for all of them equally. Marriage was looked at like more of a contract; the man payed the dowry to the bride; the women were then able to control their own money, property and to receive money up to a certain period after a divorce.

In 2004 the government of Morocco introduced a new “family code” known as the Moudawana. This code in general covers issues of marriage contracts, ownership of assets, responsibilities for financial maintenance for the family and minimum age of marriage. This new enforcement enhances women’s rights within the family and household, giving women more equality. Firstly, the woman and man now have equal responsibilities in family matters, both being heads of households. Women also were no longer required to obey their husbands under law and have the ability to exercise their rights such as employment or financial maintenance outside the home. The code restricted polygamy, giving the women more authority over her own marriage contract and allowed women access to “no-fault” divorce. The new code that is being enforced states males can only take a second wife if a judge allows it with justification, the first wife's consent, and if there is enough money and resources to support both families. The women now have the right to file for divorce if she feels the male has not fulfilled his obligations, or if there is violence or abandonment. On the matter of marriage, the minimum age a girl can marry is now 18, which is the same as boys. If the girl is under 18 it needs to be certified by the court. The Moudawana code provides justice and rights to women while also protecting young girls’ rights. The code preserves the man’s dignity and still issuing Islam’s objectives of justice, tolerance and equality in a modernized development. In a speech made by King Mohammed VI supporting the code highlighted the principles: women should not be compelled to marry against her will. Equality between a women and a man’s right of being able to choose their partner, entitling them both to the same rights in a marriage contract.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when women are integrated into Morocco’s economy it increases and improves the growth in Morocco’s gross domestic product (GDP). Integrating women into socio-economic development is important and will help achieve overall growth.

However, there are still some laws and social norms that need to change if gender equality is going to happen. Most of Morocco is still under a conservative setting and the reality is that traditional values make women reluctant to challenge them. One writing under the Quran that is still strictly followed says that the male son receives double the inheritance of a women from the family even if he has a different mother. Even though laws are enforced traditional values and mindsets are still more successful. According to the 2010 data reported by the Justice Ministry, judges have granted 90% of cases involving a minor to marry even though the new code states the minimum marriage age is 18 and if the female is under the age of 18 permission must be granted by a judge. If there is going to be a real change, laws need to be honored to change the mind sets and produce gender equality and fairness for all. Education is a big stepping stone for equalizing boys and girls at a young age by giving them both a fair start. Unfortunately, 78% of girls between the ages 12-14 are not in formal schooling in the country’s rural areas.

There are limited job opportunities for girls because of the lack of education for girls and the country’s mind set is held back when it comes to hiring women. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 66% of men are working but only 25% of women are working in the formal economy. If as many women were working as men income per capita could be almost 50% higher than it is now. Currently tax deductions or credits are only available to men to be able to claim a dependent deduction for both spouse and children. A female tax payer may not claim this tax advantage unless she proves she is the only legal guardian. This is an advantage that women should be able to achieve without going through the court system.

Morocco has not managed to reduce gender inequality. Women are still behind men when it comes to opportunities in health, education, and professional and political empowerment. As modern times are approaching more and more women in Morocco are beginning to stand up for their rights. After years of violence, rape, inequality and family moral code times are changing. Organizations are emerging to stand behind women in the hope that laws will eventually start to change to protect these women's rights. Although, even though laws might start to change the difficulty comes with enforcing them upon the male population and making sure women are not afraid to make this change as well. Politics have gotten more diverse with both genders, now being a law that 10% of seats in the lower house of the parliament be reserved for women. However, is that enough to change for equality? After years of protest politicians are trying to make a change as well by taking a stance on a more productive side of things.

Article for Peer Review
As modern times are approaching more and more, women in Morocco are beginning to stand up for there rights. After years of violence, rape, inequality and  family moral code times are changing. Organizations are emerging to stand behind women in the hope that laws will eventually start to change to protect these women's rights. However, even though laws might start to change the difficulty comes with enforcing them upon the male population and making sure women are not afraid to make this change as well. Politics have gotten more diverse with both genders, now being a law that 10% of seats in the lower house of the parliament be reserved for women. However, is that enough to change for equality? After years of protest politicians are trying to make a change as well by taking a stance on a more productive side of things.

One stance is the changes to Moudawana (the family code). The new laws that are being enforced is that males can only take a second wife if a judge allows it with justification, the first wife's consent and enough money and resources to support both families. The women now has the right to file for divorce if she feels the male has not fulfilled his obligations, violence or abandonment.

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