Morocco: Over 5,500 cases of violence against women in 2007

Fez (east of Rabat) - A total of 5,650 cases of violence against women, including 3,010 at workplaces, were reported in 2007 in Morocco, according to Fez-based Center for People's Rights (French acronym CDG).

Violence against women climaxed in May with 680 documented cases, while some 660 cases were reported in April, 635 in November, 577 in October, 571 in February, 530 in June, 525 in March, 420 in July, 416 in September, 262 in January and 160 in December, director of the center, Jamal Chahdi, said.

General violence acts include rape, physical violence, non-payment of alimony, eviction from marital home, repudiation, insults, abuse and sexual harassment, while violence at workplaces include illegal dismissal, not reporting work hours, sexual harassment, denial of insurance or compensation for extra-hours and disrespect of the Labor Code.

On ways to curtail violence against women, Mr. Chahdi called for the involvement of all social actors to ensure an optimal implementation of the Family Code provisions, a quicker implementation of violence-related sentences and the defense of women’s rights at workplaces.

He also called for respecting the Labor Code, creating business committees and health services in workplaces, simplifying court procedures in labor disputes and boosting the role of trade unions by ensuring a larger representation of women.

Touching on the endeavors made so far in the field, Mr. Chahdi hailed Morocco’s women-friendly measure to combat violence through setting up a national strategy for the defense of women's rights and the creation by the Ministry of Justice of special crisis centers to accommodate and comfort women victims of violence. He finally called for encouraging education to human rights to "change social stereotypes and attitudes."

Founded in 1999 by a group of human rights activists in the region of Fez, the Center for People's Rights (CDG) aims to create a national network for the defense and education to human rights.

-Maghreb Arabe Press