CEDAW/C/MAR/CO/5-6

Morocco (CEDAW 04-07-2022)

The Committee considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic report of Morocco (CEDAW/C/MAR/5-6) at its 1892nd and 1894th meetings (see CEDAW/C/SR.1892 and CEDAW/C/SR.1894), held on 21 and 22 June 2022. The list of issues and questions raised by the pre-sessional working group is contained in CEDAW/C/MAR/Q/5-6, and the responses of Morocco are contained in CEDAW/C/MAR/RQ/5-6.

Concluding observations

E. Principal areas of concern and recommendations

Gender-based violence against women

1. 23. The Committee notes with appreciation that new provisions were introduced to Act 103-13, against all form of violence against women, creating new offences relating to the violation of privacy and providing increased penalties if the violation was due to gender. It notes with interest that a draft criminal act strengthening legal protections for women and children, particularly against violence, is before parliament. The Committee also notes the State party’s indication that marital rape is covered under article 486 of the Penal Code. However, the Committee expresses its concern over reports that:

       (b)Article 489 of the Penal Code puts lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women at risk of penal sanctions, which can result in stigmatisation and instances of violence;

   24. Recalling its general recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19, and in line with target 5.2 of the Sustainable Developments Goals, to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres, the Committee urges the State party to:

       (b) Take the necessary steps to repeal article 489 of the Penal Code;

Employment and economic empowerment of women

1. 29. The Committee notes with appreciation information provided by the State party that a financial package is offered to support the projects of associations working in the field of promotion of women’s right to work. The Committee also takes note of the State party’s indication that a strategic study is being prepared on women’s economic empowerment to lay the ground work for the development of a national integrated economic empowerment programme for women by 2030. The Committee nevertheless remains concerned that:

       (a)Progress in the field of education for women and girls has not translated into progress in the area of employment and the participation of women in economic activity remains low;

       (b)Gender disparities persist in access to the labour market;

       (c)Women in the formal and informal sector, in urban and rural areas alike have limited access to social protection in form of a work contract, medical insurance, or pension system.

1. 33. Recalling its previous recommendations (CEDAW/C/MAR/4, paragraph 29), the Committee draws attention to target 8.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals, to achieve by 2030 full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value, and recommends that the State party take measures to:

       (d) Take measures to prevent and monitor sexual harassment in the workplace, especially of young women, women with disabilities and lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex women;