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Morocco's king boosts women's rights in marriage

In a historic effort to unify and modernize his country, Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced on Friday a landmark reform to grant vast new rights to women on matters such as divorce, marriage and rights within the family.

Acting in his role as "Commander of Beliefs," the 40-year-old monarch said the move was designed to help heal a divide in society forming between women's groups and a powerful Islamic movement.

"We have not hesitated to intervene to spare our society from the risks of splitting apart over this question," the king said in an address to parliament.

The king said the proposal was designed to "lift the iniquity weighing on women, protect children's rights and preserve the dignity of mankind."

"These reforms must not be seen as a victory of one camp over another but rather as advances for the benefit of all Moroccans," he said.

The reform would "place families under the joint responsibility of both spouses" -- not just men, the king said.

He also proposed raising the minimum marriage age from 15 to to 18and simplify divorce procedures for the benefit of women.
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