Morocco’s silent crisis: Woman almost killed from domestic violence
In a horrific domestic violence case, a young woman almost loses her life, highlighting the hidden struggles many women face in the kingdom every day.
According to government-friendly news outlet Hespress on September 25th, a woman from the Moroccan town of Taza, identified as Iman, was subject to a violent knife attack, which left her with severe injuries to her face and hands. The perpetrator is said to be her ex-husband.
Iman was rushed to the hospital for emergency care, and authorities quickly opened an investigation into the attack. Rights organisations called for Iman to receive urgent medical and psychological support, as well as justice for the brutal assault.
The “Enjad Network Against Gender Violence” issued a statement on the attack, condemning it as a “gross violation of women’s rights to physical and psychological safety.” They also expressed full solidarity with Iman, calling for authorities to ensure her protection through the process of holding the perpetrator accountable.
The incident also erupted outrage on social media under hashtags such as #WeAreAllIman and #NoToViolenceAgainstWomen, with critics blasting Morocco’s flimsy domestic violence laws.
The specific bill in question is Morocco’s law 103-13, which is supposed to provide protective measures such as restraining orders and temporary shelter for women facing household violence.
According to figures from the state-run Office of the High Commissioner for Planning (HCP), 57% of Moroccan women reported facing violence, with 52% of cases occurring at home and 46% by a husband or partner. Human Rights Watch also critiqued the gaps in the law, especially its broad definition of violence and lack of direct instructions on how authorities should deal with these cases.
Rights groups and legal experts have called for more proactive solutions to preventing violence against women, including better enforcement of laws, rapid judicial responses, and accessible services for victims.
Women in Morocco have long suffered from a system that doesn’t protect them. As Maghrebi reported, unemployment statistics show the disproportionate effect on women in times of struggle in the labour market.
As well as this, abortion rights are also a point of contention in the kingdom. Abortion is still criminalised in Morocco under Article 453 of the Penal Code, pushing women into dangerous and often life-threatening procedures. It is said that up to 800 illegal abortions take place each day in Morocco.
Hespress, Human Rights Watch, Maghrebi.org
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