Source: Magharebia
Little has changed since last month when Moroccan women's rights NGOs staged a protest in Rabat to ask for reforms protecting women from abuse and violence.

A bill on the issue was submitted in November but drew criticism from both lawmakers and activists.

Under the measure, men who harass women will be liable to a prison sentence of up to four years and a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 Moroccan dirhams, Aujourd'hui le Maroc reported on Friday (January 3rd). The fine could also double for repeat offenders or family members of victims.

Women and Family Minister Bassima Hakkaoui sees in the draft law a way to put an end to the prevailing violence "affecting more than 62.8 per cent of Moroccan women".

The bill establishes provisions to counter acts of domestic violence and protect women expelled from their conjugal homes.

It also criminalises forced marriage, the violation of the sanctity of a woman's body, and the improper use of family funds in bad faith.

Women's associations rejected the measure for confusing violence against women with violence against children. They also criticised the ministry for not involving them in drafting the bill.

"These associations are working in the field with listening centres that provide counselling to a number of cases and gather testimonies which can help enrich the debate," said Souad Smaoui of the Women's Movement for a Better Future (AMAL).

She explains that the proposed law does not provide a proper definition of gender-based violence, nor does it deter its perpetrators.

The bill "includes a lot of paradoxes", agreed Bouchra Abdou of the Federation of the Democratic League for Women's Rights (FLDDF).

She requested that the government involve women's movements, which have worked with more than 7,000 battered women.

The government did not pass the bill for several reasons, including its silence on human trafficking and prostitution.

Khadija Yassin, a women's literacy worker, told Magharebia she met many women during information sessions for housewives who did not report violence because of their perception of gender roles and rights.

"The law gives a vague definition of violence, in that it associates it with tangible harm," said Jamila Belgithi, a master's degree candidate. "This will spare perpetrators of psychological and symbolic violence any punishment," she said.

Critics of the bill also say it merely adopts small financial penalties to the already existing Moroccan Penal Code.

 

• Morocco