Study: Half of Moroccans View Premarital Sex as Personal Freedom

According to the study conducted between May and June last by the MENASSAT center for social research and studies, among 1,312 people, "50% of respondents consider that sexual relations fall within individual freedoms and 76.3%, or three Moroccans out of four, believe that the practice is very widespread in Morocco". Others believe that sexual relations outside of marriage are contrary to religion, good morals and denote poor education.

To read: Survey: 3 in 4 Moroccans Believe Premarital Sex Widespread, Challenging Social Norms

8.8% of respondents do not differentiate between their body and their identity, and 2% consider it as a tool of work or a means of expression. However, the vast majority of those surveyed, or 80%, agree that everyone is free to dispose of their body as they wish.

The study also focused on religion, freedom of belief and tolerance on the one hand, and on sexuality and other issues related to individual freedom laws, in particular Articles 490, 222 and 220 of the Penal Code, on the other hand.