A law in Morocco is changing so that men cannot escape criminal charges for rape by marrying their victim. The change in policy follows a year after a 16-year-old girl committed suicide after being forced to marry her alleged rapist to protect her family’s honor.
Khadiji Ryadi, president of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, stated, “Changing this article is a good thing but it doesn't meet all of our demands…The penal code has to be totally reformed because it contains many provisions that discriminate against women and doesn't protect women against violence."
A comprehensive law combating violence against women has been languishing in parliament for the last eight years.
Compiled from: Morocco to Change Rape Marriage Law, Aljazeera (24 January 2013).