Violence Against Women in Morocco

One of the most alarming issues in Muslim societies appears to be gender-based violence. The violence directed at women linked to their womanhood is gender-based. It is violence intended to establish or reinforce gender hierarchies and perpetuate inequalities. Violence against women seems to be a cause and a consequence of gender perceptions. Gender-based violence affects men’s and women’s perceptions of each other. In a speech made by King Mohammed VI in 2008, Morocco withdrew all its reservations with respect to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The aim of the withdrawal of reservations was to enhance the legal position of women on the basis of the principle of equality of opportunity and the application of international instruments and declarations ratified by Morocco. This decision may be regarded as an important indication that Morocco is committed to gender equality and to combating violence against women.