Rabat - Human Rights Watch urged the Moroccan government to pass a strong anti-domestic violence law in a letter and a satirical video released on Tuesday.
The letter, which was addressed to Bassima Al Hakkaoui, Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family, and Social Development, encourages the government to officially pass an anti-violence law that has been pending in the legislature since 2013 and add to it a strong definition of domestic violence and the criminalization of marital rape.
The accompanying video depicts a performance by Moroccan comedian and feminist activist Mounia Magueri who plays the role of a domestic violence survivor, an abusive husband, a police officer, and a prosecutor in the video to highlight the issue from a variety of angles.
“Have you no shame?” Magueri says after her role-play performance. “Violence against women is a crime. Criminals need to be punished. Victims need a law that protects them.”
Approximately two-thirds of Moroccan women experience physical, psychological, sexual, or economic violence, according to a survey conducted by the government in 2009. More than half of the two-thirds of women surveyed reported conjugal violence.
In addition, the letter highlighted HRW’s social media campaign against domestic violence occurring in Morocco. The campaign - which is associated with an Arabic hashtag meaning “Hakkaoui, give me my rights” - tells the stories of four Moroccan women and their fight for justice.
Hakkaoui announced a new draft for an anti-sexual harassment law earlier on International Women’s day. The new version defines sexual harassment more broadly and toughens punishments for perpetrators, but does not address domestic violence.
“Hey, Madame Bassima Hakkaoui,” Magueri said on behalf of Moroccan women. “Please, get a move on, roll up your sleeves and publish a strong draft law consistent with human rights standards.”
The post HRW Urges Morocco to Pass Strong Anti-domestic Violence Law appeared first on Morocco World News.