Morocco’s Justice Minister Calls for Criminalizing Child Marriage, Equates It to Rape

For the Minister of Justice, a radical solution is needed to put an end to this type of marriage, which he describes as a "true violation" of children’s rights. "Criminalizing underage marriage" is necessary to hope for its eradication, he said.

"The King attaches particular importance to promoting the conditions of childhood and its protection, and to improving and protecting women’s rights. Aware of the seriousness of the situation, we are seriously looking into the issue of underage marriage, which we cannot face without criminalizing it by law," said Abdellatif Ouahbi.

He specified that "the place of the girl is at school and not in the husband’s house. Underage marriage is rape of the girl, of her future and her health. Fortunately, mentalities have changed, for this reason, we are looking into the file to find effective solutions." The minister says that as an incentive measure, aid will be paid to parents who refuse to marry their daughters and send them to school.