Before independence, on the early days, most Moroccan households were traditional harems on enclosed households, in which extended families lived together under one roof and practiced the tradition of women's seclusion , meaning women stayed and lived in the harem and rarely left. they were let out only to go to Koranic school (where they studied only the Koran and no other subject) and to hammam once a week (a traditional Moroccan bath house). So women had no role in society except for men's desire or as a slave. The independence from France in 1956, represent a significant change for women and women rights. one of the biggest change was the ability of women to go to school and receive an education. Changes are happening in Morocco, especially since the change of power to the current King, Mohammed VI. who took over after the death of his father Hassan II. The new king instituted the much anticipated Mudawana, a legal code that dramatically changed women's rights as: 1- the legal age of marriage starts at 18 years old. 2- women can sign their own marriage contract without their father's approval. 3- divorce is now a choice for both a man and a women. 4- men can still marry to four wives, however the law states that he must obtain the approval from the first wife. 5- A husband now has to pay child support, according to journal of gender studies.
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