By: Daniel Nardini
In international waters not far from Morocco is a ship originally from the Netherlands. The ship, chartered by a Dutch organization called Women on Waves, provides advice and safe abortions for women who cannot receive such things in their own country. Abortion is illegal in Morocco except if the woman’s life is in danger (and even then an abortion for whatever reason has to be done with the consent of the husband), Abortion is not allowed even in cases of rape or incest. If this all sounds extremely repressive, well yes it is! The Kingdom of Morocco maintains itself as a traditional Islamic state. This can and sadly means that in Morocco women have no rights, and certainly no right to their own bodies. The Moroccan government has blockaded its ports to prevent the Dutch ship from coming into Moroccan waters, and will not allow its own people from going anywhere near the ship. The Dutch ship for now will “respect” the sovereignty of Morocco. Women on Waves has not choice–a Moroccan battleship has been put into port to make sure the Dutch ship does not come into Morocco.
Even with these actions, a growing number of Moroccan women are calling for a change in Morocco’s abortion law. First, they want laws that allow abortion on demand. Second, they do not want to get consent from their husbands for an abortion. Finally, they want abortions to be performed in safe and professional medical clinics and in hospitals. So far, the Moroccan government has dug in its heels and sad “no.” This comes as no surprise since the leading parties in Morocco’s parliament are Islamic entities. The leading party is the Islamic Justice and Development Party. Although considered “moderate” in Moroccan politics, it is still nevertheless staunchly Muslim fundamentalist. The second leading party is the Istiqlal Party—a right wing nationalist party. These parties came to power in the November 27, 2011 election in Morocco on the wave of the Arab Spring movements. It is becoming clear that many parts of the Arab Spring movement is putting in Muslim fundamentalist forces. They in turn have been trying to turn back the clock on certain issues, and one of these issues is women’s rights.
Abortion is simply one of these issues. Current Moroccan Prime Minister Abdellah Benkirane has said that he might change the country’s abortion law. That may be hard if not next to impossible because he would be going against many in his own party, and this could cost him any political future. On the other hand, a growing number of Moroccan women are demonstrating for legal abortions. According to a study done by the World Health Organization, as many as 600 abortions are being done daily in Morocco. Because these abortions are being done in unsafe conditions, many Moroccan women, and especially poor women, die. It is estimated that 13 percent of all medical deaths of women in Morocco are due to botched abortions. This is why there is growing pressure on Benkirane to legalize abortion. At present, Benkirane seems to be more siding with the Islamic hardliners because he is blocking the Dutch ship from coming into port. Despite what most of the Islamic hardliners assert is “outside interference,” the issue of abortion is simply part of the greater issue of women’s rights in Morocco.
Women on Waves
By: Daniel Nardini
Even with these actions, a growing number of Moroccan women are calling for a change in Morocco’s abortion law. First, they want laws that allow abortion on demand. Second, they do not want to get consent from their husbands for an abortion. Finally, they want abortions to be performed in safe and professional medical clinics and in hospitals. So far, the Moroccan government has dug in its heels and sad “no.” This comes as no surprise since the leading parties in Morocco’s parliament are Islamic entities. The leading party is the Islamic Justice and Development Party. Although considered “moderate” in Moroccan politics, it is still nevertheless staunchly Muslim fundamentalist. The second leading party is the Istiqlal Party—a right wing nationalist party. These parties came to power in the November 27, 2011 election in Morocco on the wave of the Arab Spring movements. It is becoming clear that many parts of the Arab Spring movement is putting in Muslim fundamentalist forces. They in turn have been trying to turn back the clock on certain issues, and one of these issues is women’s rights.
Abortion is simply one of these issues. Current Moroccan Prime Minister Abdellah Benkirane has said that he might change the country’s abortion law. That may be hard if not next to impossible because he would be going against many in his own party, and this could cost him any political future. On the other hand, a growing number of Moroccan women are demonstrating for legal abortions. According to a study done by the World Health Organization, as many as 600 abortions are being done daily in Morocco. Because these abortions are being done in unsafe conditions, many Moroccan women, and especially poor women, die. It is estimated that 13 percent of all medical deaths of women in Morocco are due to botched abortions. This is why there is growing pressure on Benkirane to legalize abortion. At present, Benkirane seems to be more siding with the Islamic hardliners because he is blocking the Dutch ship from coming into port. Despite what most of the Islamic hardliners assert is “outside interference,” the issue of abortion is simply part of the greater issue of women’s rights in Morocco.