Morocco Modernizes Family Code with Groundbreaking Social Reforms

Morocco has approved significant reforms to its family code (Moudawana), marking a substantial shift in the nation's approach to marriage, custody, and inheritance laws. The changes, discussed during a recent working session at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, aim to balance Islamic principles with contemporary social needs.

The Higher Council of Ulemas endorsed most of the proposed modifications, supporting 17 key reforms that address various aspects of family law. Among the most significant changes is setting the marriage age at 18 for both genders, with limited exceptions for 17-year-olds under strict conditions. The reforms also strengthen women's rights by granting mothers joint legal guardianship of children during and after marriage, and allowing them to maintain custody even after remarriage.

The new framework introduces notable changes to marriage regulations, including provisions for Moroccan expatriates to marry without two Muslim witnesses when impossible to obtain. The reforms also address polygamy, requiring wives' explicit consent during marriage documentation and limiting it to exceptional circumstances such as infertility or serious illness.

Property rights receive particular attention, with new provisions recognizing wives' domestic contributions to marital wealth. The reforms also ensure surviving spouses can remain in the family home under specified conditions. For interfaith couples, the changes permit property transfers between spouses of different religions who cannot inherit from each other.

The reforms streamline divorce proceedings by introducing a six-month resolution deadline and allowing mutual divorce without court intervention. A new non-judicial mediation body will handle dispute resolution, while modern electronic methods will facilitate divorce notifications.

However, certain proposals faced rejection due to their conflict with fixed religious texts. These include DNA testing for paternal lineage, abolition of the "Taasib" inheritance rule favoring male relatives, and inheritance between Muslims and non-Muslims.

The reform process, initiated in September 2023, demonstrates Morocco's commitment to modernizing its family law while maintaining its religious and constitutional framework. These changes still await final review and approval from the government and parliament.