Source: Women News Network
On March 9, in response to the uprising, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI issued a televised statement announcing new guidelines to the Moroccan political system and a revision of the 1996 constitution. A commission was appointed by His Majesty to draft a proposal for a reformed constitution, chaired by Abdellatif Menouni, a prominent jurist.

On June 17, the King issued a second nationally televised speech in which he expressed his support for the constitutional draft which he confirmed as an initiative to enhance the separation of powers, newly empower parliamentary mechanisms within the political system, and support gender equality; to name some of the liberalizing initiatives. On July 1, the new constitutional draft was submitted to a public referendum and it passed with over 98% of the vote.

The reform of the Moroccan constitution has been a clear response to the pro-change movement and a unique reaction to the MENA region’s pro-democracy revolutions. Notably, the Moroccan protests have been relatively peaceable compared to other nations; though clashes between citizens and security forces occurred in some cities and also some violent conflict with pro-monarchy demonstrators. This comparatively bloodless path to change and the receptivity of the regime to the demands of the people is considered to be an example of ‘’ Moroccan Exceptionalism’’ and a model for other regions.

Will reform be complete without gender equality?

The new constitution strengthens the role of the prime minister, allows for greater independence of the legislature and the judiciary, and offers protection of individuals’ rights with special recognition of women’s rights and Berber rights. The King retains crucial executive powers: he has the ability to fire ministers and dissolve the parliament, he will chair the new body that oversees the judiciary as he remains commander in chief of the military and the country’s religious authority. The Arab Spring has proven that change can come from citizens. But the question I’d like to focus on is what specific change does it bring for women in Morocco?

A discussion about how the constitutional reform influences gender equality must include mention of past measures. Since 2000, growing activism in civil society, in particular Moroccan women’s associations, human rights organizations, and feminist groups, plus the liberal character of the King have improved the situation of women. A new family code, known as the Mudawana based on the Malikite School of Islamic law, governs the statutes of women under civil law. It emphasizes equality between men and women and confirms joint responsibility of the husband and the wife.

The code gives women the right to repudiation and simplifies divorce, raises the legal age of marriage for girls from 15 to 18 and allows for free choice of spouses and abolishes polygamy. After divorce women are given custody of children and are entitled to money. Family court judges and the patriarchal mentality have impeded the full implementation of the new family code as women continue to suffer from discriminatory practices, inequality, violence and abusive actions.

In the past decade efforts were made by the state as well as civil society activists to fight gender based violence. For instance, information centers for women have been created, special training in women’s rights is available for lawyers and judicial assistance is offered to women who are victims of violence.

As a member of a human rights association, I believe what is needed is more collaboration between the government and women’s associations to create a strong network of services for women. The network should offer support to women in reporting violence to the police, obtaining medical service and achieve justice–helping so women gain self-esteem, autonomy and feel empowered to be active in society. The state should bolster the work of NGOs, especially in providing access to these services for women living in smaller towns.

The reform of the nationality code in 2007 also strengthened the status of women in Morocco. Article 7 of the nationality code gives women who are married to foreign Muslim men in accordance with the Moudawana the right to pass on their nationality to their children. Previously under the code in 1958, transfer of nationality was restricted in cases where the father is unknown or stateless.

The gains for women in the past decade have resulted in greater representation in decision-making positions, as noted by Moroccan feminist and scholar Fatima Sadiqi: “women are increasingly taking up national and local political posts and becoming more involved with the judiciary.’’   A change in the quota system for elections helped in the development of the presence of women in political arena. The 2009 local elections showed a 12% quota for women.

There is hope for further increase in the political participation of women with the recent constitutional reforms. Article 19 of the 2011 constitution makes men and women equal citizens in law–this article is a tribute to the effectiveness of the work of women’s associations and human rights associations leading up to the Arab Spring. Article 19 guarantees men and women equal social, economic, political and environmental rights as well as equal enjoyment of civil rights. Further, the constitutional reform creates an “Authority for Equality and Fight against all Forms of Discrimination” which will put into practice the constitutional recognition of equal rights. Even the existence of this on paper is an essential step to reinforce the presence of women everywhere in the state. The challenge now is in the implementation of the provisions provided by the new constitution–that is, to make the dream become reality.

Reforms since 2000 laid the groundwork for the more radical changes achieved through the February 20^th Movement and is the background for “Moroccan Exceptionalism.” The Arab Spring opened up social dialogue and encouraged the acceleration of reform; evident in the how quickly after the King’s March announcement a new constitution was put to vote. To me the remaining barriers to gender equality are clear.

A large proportion of Moroccan women are illiterate preventing them from full knowledge of the change in their rights. The feminization of poverty, limited social mobility for women and discriminatory gender practices tied to culture are also limiting factors.  The cultural norm of a man “who commands and should be obeyed” needs to be challenged. Article 19 invites Moroccan society to reduce illiteracy; spreads the culture of equality in society, coordinates government and civil society in democratic reform and eradicates gender based discrimination through rapid implementation of support structures. The answers to the most important questions–can the admirable political statements contained in the new constitution be translated to tangible outcomes?  and how long will it take to secure the promised women’s rights?–remain to be seen.

• Morocco