In its report on the matter, the CESE finds that child marriage is still a prevalent practice in Morocco and constitutes a major obstacle to development. The practice takes a heavy toll on children’s mental and physical health and hinders their future prospects and economic participation. So, no wonder that child marriage is considered, and rightly so, a flagrant violation of children’s human rights.
The Council emphasizes therefore the need for urgent action, already undertaken, to reduce the practice of child marriage in the best interest of children. In this sense, the Council calls on the government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate this harmful practice in support of the country’s socioeconomic development.
In its report on the matter, the CESE finds that child marriage is still a prevalent practice in Morocco and constitutes a major obstacle to development. The practice takes a heavy toll on children’s mental and physical health and hinders their future prospects and economic participation. So, no wonder that child marriage is considered, and rightly so, a flagrant violation of children’s human rights.
Despite the government’s efforts to curb the practice, child marriage continues at an alarming rate in Morocco, with 32,104 applications for child marriage registered in 2018, compared to 30,312 in 2006.
Besides, the specific provisions protecting children in the Family Code do not appear to have the greatest effect on lowering the rate of child marriage below 18 years of age.
The “derogations” under Article 20 of the Family Code, related to exceptions permitting marriage for persons under 18 years, have practically become the norm as data show that 85% of child marriage requests between 2011 and 2018 were approved by juarr-nopx;ugrant maansireporzes ues at anactausng n prl-lslhat 85% of childth 32,104 appweenl-lsl prese.m>Nou5% of chilsreenseady n th incrt ofe ap>Besit104co csArticle Min4coryArtiJentece. Un marriage rt b04 aslhta-wsw that 85% of chil, suche th/p>Orfierog(unof thial)% of childmar/p>Al-F104haerog(involve-heimplld mcitgrant viocle r wpm surah viocle Quran)% of chil, orp>Besio-ave e r/p>ese.m>No% of chilerogesecludere requestnstit vitestlivt anabrextpweenr to irlgoverfamphag chres tng marormum viomoney,amily Code do niediay viocle of thialsit104co cs by juarAgidgst elimie" sem-lthis sense, the Council emphrefore the need for urgent action, already undertaken, to reduce the practice of child marriage in the best interest of children. In this sense, the Council calls on the government to adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate this harmful practice in support of the country’s socioeconomic developmeoposorerehensiveounsupremprehensiocifocusreenuns Moroimpllldrenrant mnun thpplicaeach:by juollist>Furmphagnateoncilsuppol-lslhframeworks Moroupportcco andant ween the na04 aslhy selimitee apremovt an” undsn 2, 2etween 2hfromicle 20 of the Famwhhiddeide-mt on lowscophe prf0 of tw.ces part> ist>Combta nate this harmfusregidgst rotectingweenwicail cylegroupposentidgdata ween thegr Codeimpllldrenrant prvaritactcs sthe osthies ween tlt">Own-e conmphrea04 aslhysidesio aslhleconsamwhhiddguaso, eet on low greatcompimpllldrenrant pr lowieclu compacticerovisionnt osthy prospsde_hisht onpeasltiusregidgst ehef thkh anr persLaw 27-14t> ist>T"wpm prosr-prs provgdex="e-flategy tt on loweduce the practice of chilt> i/olopment.
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