Wehbi: Reforming the Family Code is a Strategic Choice to Achieve Equity Within Moroccan Families
Morocco has launched a strategic initiative to reform the Family Code, a move that reflects the political will to instill values of justice and fairness within Moroccan families, according to Minister of Justice Abdellatif Wehbi. He clarified that this direction embodies the state’s commitment, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, to scrutinize and update social laws in line with societal transformations and religious and constitutional principles.
The minister’s statement came during the opening of an international conference held in Rabat on the theme "The System of Contribution and Partnership: Legal, Historical Approaches, and Comparative Experiences from the Arab World." Prominent national and international figures attended the event, including the President of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, a representative from Al-Azhar University, and the Minister of Justice from Cape Verde, along with ambassadors, experts, judges, and academics from various Arab countries.
Wehbi emphasized that the ongoing discussion surrounding the system of contribution and partnership should not be viewed merely as a legal debate or isolated theoretical discourse; rather, it represents a strategic national choice that reflects Morocco’s commitment to courageously and responsibly address major social issues with the aim of establishing justice within families and making equity a foundation for every familial relationship.
He pointed out that the system of contribution and partnership is the result of a long intellectual and social process that has been championed by Moroccan scholars, judges, and human rights advocates for decades. Courts have relied on it in some of their judgments, drawing on legal customs and the Maliki school, which reconciles between statutory texts and the transformations of reality.
Wehbi called for a transition from limited judicial interpretation to explicit legislative recognition of women’s contributions to family wealth, whether through their efforts at home or their participation in work and production. He stressed that women’s contributions within the family are just as significant as any paid work outside the home, and their equity is an integral part of social justice.
The minister noted that the ongoing reform direction is not in conflict with Morocco’s Islamic constants but rather derives its essence from the objectives of Sharia, which are based on justice and mutual respect, and aligns with Morocco’s international human rights commitments as part of its progressive path in the field of rights.
He affirmed that the political boldness demonstrated by the Kingdom in this area is a true embodiment of the spirit and objectives of Islamic law in achieving justice and dignity, rather than a departure from it.
Regarding the international nature of the conference, Wehbi highlighted that the presence of a distinguished group of judges, scholars, and experts from various Arab countries provides a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences related to the system of contribution and partnership, as it is an issue that concerns various Arab societies, not just Morocco.
He underscored that the quest for equity within families is not solely a Moroccan battle, but it is a matter tied to the stability of families, the enhancement of social peace, and the preservation of the dignity of all family members.
In concluding his remarks, the Minister of Justice reaffirmed his ministry’s full commitment to supporting this reform initiative with a spirit of openness and responsibility, in coordination with other national institutions, to formulate modern, just, and balanced legal texts that reflect the aspirations of Moroccans in building a family based on respect and mutual equity.
He also noted that the reform of the Family Code represents a reflection of the political and institutional maturity that Morocco has achieved under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, supported by various political, social, and legal forces.
