Two New Guides Paving the Way for Greater Justice

The Moroccan legal landscape has been enriched by the introduction of two new practical guides designed to promote women’s rights.

The Rabat office of MEPI-funded Global Rights, working with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), recently completed two publications titled “Promoting Access to Justice for Women in Morocco: A practical guide for local NGOs” and “Building Networks for Women’s Rights: A practical guide for young activists in Morocco.”

“These guides play an important role, as many laws have been issued with Morocco’s new family code,” said Saadia Saadi, chairwoman of the Moroccan NGO Amal.  “Citizens need to know and understand the provisions of the code, as well as the international laws governing it.  Such knowledge is made available through these guides, which contribute to the dissemination of extremely useful information.” 

Published in Arabic to help ensure a wider distribution, the two publication have the same objective: supporting women’s rights by building the capacity of local associations to best identify and interpret laws relating to women in society.

The first guide, “Promoting Access to Justice for Women in Morocco,” provides legal advice, including documents pertaining to the enforcement of national and international laws, as well as techniques for implementing programs to improve women’s treatment before the courts.

“It includes the results of training workshops and studies, as well the experience of associations working in the field,” said Stephanie William Bordat, resident director of Global Rights, a U.S.-based NGO.  “We partnered with seven local NGOs to produce the guide, in a project that involved a year of research conducted throughout several regions of Morocco.”

The second guide, “Building Networks for Women’s Rights,” is aimed at young activists in Morocco, giving them the means to strengthen their ability to build networks that will further promote women’s rights.  With advocacy and fund raising strategies included, this guide is intended to mobilize and give voice to Moroccan youth in the national debate on this topic.

Since it began operation in Morocco in 2000, Global Rights has made strides advancing women’s rights in the country and across the Maghreb.  The publication of these two new guides represents another example of the working tools now available to help local associations, legal experts, and others continue in their cause for greater justice.