Towards schooling for all
Public school, which appeared in 1920, is compulsory and free for all children aged 6 to 15. Since Independence, Morocco has introduced a new system where Arabic, and no longer French, as before under the protectorate, is the official language from primary school to the baccalaureate. Once at university, most courses are taught in French, which is not without problems for some. The level of education of the population differs greatly between the cities and the countryside. In urban areas, the vast majority of children, both girls and boys, attend school. In rural areas, far fewer children go to school and there are more boys than girls in classrooms. Rural schools face shortages of teachers who are reluctant to come and teach in the countryside. Moreover, for many traditional and rural families, sending their children to school is a hindrance to the family economy and the management of daily domestic tasks. In recent years, however, Mohammed VI has made the improvement of education, especially for girls, a national priority. Today, the enrolment rate has reached 99.1 per cent in primary school, 89.7 per cent in secondary school and 65.8 per cent in qualifying secondary school.
The wedding, a well-established custom
Marriage, an important time for the whole family, especially for parents and young fiancés, has also evolved in recent years. Although they are still practiced, arranged marriages tend to become rarer, especially in urban areas. However, traditions remain strong, and it is well regarded to publicly honour the union of marriage as it should be. The first step is the proposal of marriage, which corresponds to the engagement, the khetab. The bridegroom, accompanied by his parents, asks for the young woman's hand in marriage to the future in-laws. Once both parties agree, the adventure can begin. The future bride and groom go to the adul's home, a kind of clerk's office, to sign their marriage certificate according to the Muslim tradition, which gives rise to a religious ceremony involving only the immediate family. The big celebration usually lasts several days and can last up to a week, depending on the desire and means of the families. Songs, dances, traditional dress and local specialities are then in the spotlight. In the countryside, it is not uncommon for people from the village to come spontaneously to take part in the festival, as the community spirit is increasingly present.
Polygamy, still a common practice
In polygamy, which refers to the union of an individual with several persons of the opposite sex, a distinction is made between polygyny, a term used for men, and polyandry, a term used for women. In Morocco, polygyny is permissible under Islam, according to the Moroccan Family Code, which limits the number of wives to four for any Muslim man who practices polygyny. It also requires the permission of the first wife, who may deny this possibility by stipulating a monogamy clause in the marriage certificate. However, this practice is most prevalent in rural areas, and nowadays it is tending to decline as a result of urbanization, economic conditions, improvements in the status of women, and simply changing mores. Although polygamy has not been abolished in Morocco, since the 2004 revision of the Moudawana, polygamy has been subject to draconian conditions. The head of the family must therefore be able to provide for his wives and children and must justify his recourse to this practice before a court of law by concrete objectives. However, over the past 10 years or so, the number of marriages contracted has risen slightly, with more than 1,000 polygamous marriages celebrated every year. This is allegedly the result of article 16 of the Moudawana, which offers the possibility of recognizing marriages established without a certificate following pregnancy or birth, and which makes it possible to circumvent the law without going through the normal procedure. Women's associations are outraged and are simply calling for this article to be repealed.
Homosexuality, a forbidden practice
As in many Muslim countries, homosexuality is illegal in Morocco, where article 489 of the Penal Code condemns "any indecent or unnatural act" with a person of the same sex. Prison sentences can range from six months to three years and fines vary from 120 to 1,200 DH. Although this subject remains taboo in Moroccan society, which sees this act as immoral, in practice male homosexuality is relatively common, even though it is neither admitted nor displayed. Homosexuals live their difference discreetly and it is unfortunate for them if they expose themselves, as was the case on the night of New Year's Eve 2019 for a 33-year-old administrative officer. Dressed in a short blue dress, he was handcuffed and lynched by Moroccan police officers who took his humiliation to its logical conclusion by posting the scene on social networks. The young Moroccan is now being persecuted and wishes at all costs to leave his country to live his homosexuality elsewhere in broad daylight. Some Moroccans, shocked by this scene, would like the country to adopt more liberal attitudes on this subject, but the conservatives are firmly opposed to this. Also, don't be surprised if you often see men holding hands in the streets, it's just a way of underlining the friendly affection they have for each other.
Women's liberation on the move
Since the 1940s, women have seen their place and rights evolve in Moroccan society, after activists, born after the kingdom's independence, fought for access to education and won. Most of them went on to university studies and then got jobs, thus helping to transform family and social codes. In 1965, they obtained the right to vote, but their role in society changed very little. It was not until the end of the 1980s that feminist movements were formed on all sides. The debate on women's rights began, dividing the population and the political class. King Hassan II received these associations and reformed, albeit timidly, the family code. In 2004, his successor Mohammed VI tackled the issue head on, revising the Moudawana more thoroughly, thus opening a new era for women in Morocco. From now on, Moroccan women are more numerous in universities, work in offices, dress in the big cities in the manner of young Westerners, can divorce, ask for alimony and even have joint custody of children. But access to culture, work and certain rights within the family are only the first, essential steps towards changing the status of women. It is above all mentalities that must change. Even if today women are considered equal to men, there are still many inequalities between the two sexes. Inheritance, for example, still favours the man. Indeed, the Qur'an stipulates that a woman should receive half as much as her brothers when inheriting - her husband being supposed to take care of her materially. In 2015, after a petition signed by a hundred Moroccan intellectuals, the debate on inheritance was launched, but despite this protest, no change was made, as the law enshrined in the Koran was seen as untouchable. For other more sensitive subjects, such as abortion or violence against women, mentalities are also slow to change. It is estimated that between 600 and 800 clandestine abortions are performed every day, putting women's lives at risk, and the prevalence of violence against women is estimated at nearly 55%. It will certainly take a lot of controversy to change morals, like the story of the girl who committed suicide after being forced to marry her rapist in 2012. Two years later, the law stating that rapists could avoid prison if they married their victim was repealed.
Health: progress is slow
Morocco has taken public health issues seriously, and the results are noticeable. Unfortunately, the programs undertaken for the population are not yet at the expected levels. The healthcare system is working at double speed. Even if doctors are very well trained, there are only 7.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, a far cry from the international standard of one doctor per 650 inhabitants. However, the kingdom is pursuing its efforts by financing training courses for several years now, and intends to reach the target of 45 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants by 2030. With a budget of over 6% allocated to healthcare, it remains difficult for the State to make up for shortfalls in human resources and to renew aging hospital infrastructures. Although cutting-edge sectors are developing, only a well-to-do part of the population has access to them, and public hospitals remain deplorable, offering a poor range of care. What's more, although since 2005, all Moroccan citizens must be affiliated to a basic health insurance scheme, in reality, this protection is only reserved for an elite, the only ones able to afford the cost. Aware of the persistent flaws in the healthcare system, in 2018 the government presented a new vision for its healthcare plan, which includes the development of new infrastructures closer to its citizens, while expanding basic medical coverage. These advances should see the light of day by 2025.
