Eradicating Child Marriage: A Movement for Change in Morocco

Forced child marriage is a serious and widespread social issue in Morocco that affects the lives and rights of millions of girls and women. It is a form of gender-based violence that robs them of their agency, education, health, and overall development. It exposes them to various risks, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, early pregnancy, and maternal mortality. It is driven by deep-rooted gender inequality and the perception that girls are less valuable than boys. It is also influenced by social and economic factors, such as dowry, poverty, and family honor, which can be enhanced by external and emerging factors such as the climate crisis, which pressure families and communities to marry off their daughters at a young age.

This policy brief aims to provide an overview of the current state of forced child marriage in Morocco, emphasizing the critical need for continued and enhanced efforts to eradicate this practice. It will propose specific recommendations, grounded in research and successful case studies, to guide policymakers, stakeholders, and communities toward effective solutions. The ultimate goal is to create a future where every girl has the right to choose her destiny, and where her potential for growth and success is not limited by early forced child marriage.

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