Morocco is implementing a new law that bans forced marriages in a bid to protect rights of women. The new law also criminalizes sexual violence and harassment.
The move follows concerns in the past by rights groups and gender activists about abuses against women.
The rate of abuses suffered by women in Morocco was increasing without a serious redress. Six in 10 Moroccan women were reported by a survey to have suffered some kind of violence.
There was anger recently about instances of rape following a wide social media coverage.
Although many have welcomed the latest move, not all are happy. Critics say the law does not provide a definition of domestic violence or a specific ban on marital rape.
Last year, Moroccan teachers held a protest over violence in schools urged the government to better protect them.
The teachers went on a two-day nationwide strike over what they call abuse against teachers.
Source: Africafeeds.com
