This is one of the major projects for the current year. The reform of the Family Code is generating a real social debate. Particularly as some of the points raised by NGOs are provoking outcry from conservative groups. Inheritance, legal guardianship, division of property after divorce... In any case, the entity responsible for revising the Family Code has just completed its hearing sessions.
Nevertheless, it is leaving the door open for further proposals and opinions to be submitted, either in the form of written memoranda or via the Forum’s electronic site. Meetings are also planned with experts to gather their opinions and ideas, particularly in the field of Islamic jurisprudence.
In concrete terms, the reform of the Family Code will make it possible to « remedy the dysfunctions and shortcomings that the experience of its judicial implementation has revealed «, according to the Royal letter addressed to the Head of Government. The Sovereign specified that the provisions of the new Family Code must be brought into line with the evolution of Moroccan society and the needs of sustainable development.
On the ground, despite the demands made by a number of associations, society still seems hesitant about certain controversial aspects, chief among them is the question of equality between men and women in matters of inheritance. These are the findings of the latest L’Economiste-Sunergia survey. Only 24% of those questioned were in favor of equality between men and women in matters of inheritance. Almost 7 out of 10 Moroccans are opposed to the introduction of gender equality in inheritance law. Mentalities are finding it hard to change on this subject. And this applies to both genders. Among men, 76% are against equality in this area. Among women, the figure is 62%. Only 31% were in favor.
By age group, the highest rates of rejection of equality in inheritance are among people aged 35-44 and 45-44, with 76% and 77% respectively. Conversely, the highest rate of support for this societal evolution is found among the over-65s (36%). Young people aged 18-24 are also more open to this change. 34% are in favor of equal inheritance rights.
At the territorial level, people in the South of the country seem more open to a change in inheritance rules to ensure gender equality (28% for and 62% against). On the other hand, the situation seems more complicated in the North and East of the country (17% for and 76% against). Contrary to stereotypes, the data also show a greater evolution in rural areas than in cities. 31% of rural dwellers are in favor of equal inheritance, versus 20% of city dwellers. By socio-professional category, the level of resistance to this change increases from one category to the next. 65% of people in socio-professional categories D and E are against equal inheritance, versus 78% in socio-professional categories A and B.
It’s less complicated for legal guardianship
Unlike inheritance, which continues to polarize society, reforming the system of legal guardianship of children seems less complicated. It’s true that the subject regularly raises controversy, especially when several women find themselves confronted with a series of difficulties linked to the exclusive attribution of legal guardianship status to the father. According to the latest L’Economiste-Sunergia survey, 74% of Moroccans agree that mothers should have the same legal guardianship of their children as fathers. Opinions are not very different according to gender: 69% of men and 78% of women agree as to the importance of this reform. The same applies to responses by age group, with rates ranging from 67% to 77% in favor. Per socio-professional category, people in category C in particular show the highest rate of opposition to equality in terms of legal guardianship of children (26%). Among socio-professional categories D and E, this rate is 21%, while it is 13% among socio-professional categories A and B.
M.A.M.
