Late marriages, rising divorces: what societal transformation reveals in Morocco

Ghizlane Mamouni, a lawyer and president of the Kif Mama Kif Baba association, highlights that official statistics on marriage and divorce in Morocco, while showing a decline in marriage and an increase in divorce, do not fully capture the country's evolving societal realities. She criticizes the absence of data on children born out of wedlock and single mothers, viewing this as a deliberate omission rather than an oversight. Mamouni argues that the term "the family" in the singular is outdated, advocating for an understanding of "families" to include single-parent households, single mothers, and unrecognized unions. She interprets the growing disinterest in marriage as a significant social signal, suggesting that the institution of marriage, as currently structured, no longer suits many individuals. Mamouni points to legal inequalities within marriage concerning guardianship, property division, polygamy, and inheritance, stating that women should not be expected to enter a legal framework that exposes them without providing protection. She also emphasizes the economic vulnerability of women, citing a 19% activity rate, which makes it difficult for them to leave conflictual or violent marriages. Mamouni views female celibacy not as a social anomaly but as a choice for autonomy, particularly for educated and independent women. She also welcomes the increase in divorces, especially when they allow individuals to escape violence or loneliness, attributing this partly to the 2004