Maghreb women persist in their fight for equality on international women's day

In North Africa, from Morocco to Libya, women are actively striving for equality and freedom, confronting outdated laws rooted in colonial-era systems, rigid interpretations of Islam, and antiquated traditions. 

These efforts span across various spheres, with a significant focus in Morocco on the eradication of child marriage. 

Despite the 2004 overhaul of the family code, which was hailed as forward-thinking for increasing the legal marriage age from 15 to 18, a loophole remains. 

This loophole allows underage girls to marry with judicial approval, resulting in a substantial number of child marriages each year. 

In 2021 alone, Morocco reported 19,000 instances of underage marriages.

In 2023, the Féminicides Algérie Association reported a minimum of 37 femicides in Algeria, a figure activists claim barely scratches the surface of the deeply patriarchal societal and legal framework. 

Despite a 2015 law imposing severe penalties for domestic violence, including up to life imprisonment for fatal injuries, its effectiveness in safeguarding women remains limited.