Advances in the Revision of the Family Code
Under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, a working session chaired by His Majesty yesterday highlighted progress on the revision of the Family Code (Moudawana). Today in Rabat, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, outlined the main outcomes of extensive consultations involving institutional and societal stakeholders, as well as the opinion of the Supreme Council of Ulema on specific religious provisions.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the royal directives aimed at ensuring transparency and broader engagement in this revision process. A dedicated committee, comprising representatives from diverse institutional bodies and experts, proposed 139 amendments spanning all seven books of the Family Code.
Key Proposed Reforms
- Recognition of engagement while establishing marriage as the sole legal proof of union.
- Simplification of marriage procedures for Moroccans living abroad.
- Setting the legal marriage age at 18, with exceptions for minors starting from 17 under strict conditions.
- Protecting children’s and women’s rights with a focus on gender equality.
- Introducing fairer mechanisms for managing assets acquired during marriage.
This reform aims to reflect Morocco’s evolving society while respecting the country’s religious and cultural foundations.
