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The Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC), an independent constitutional institution, set up by King Mohammed VI in 2011, has stressed the need to eliminate child marriage in Morocco due to its detrimental impact on girls' futures and the country's overall development.
The ESEC, while examining the Family Code's amendment proposal, highlighted the significant negative impact of early marriage on girls' economic and social standing. It further emphasizes the broader negative repercussions on national development.
In its opinion titled «Child Marriage and its Harmful Effects on Girls' Economic and Social Status», the Council acknowledges the Code's minimum age of 18 but criticizes the «exception» allowing judges to authorize lower ages. This exception, initially intended for isolated cases, has reportedly become the norm.
96% of underage marriages involve girls
The report, prepared following a referral from the House of Representatives speaker, reveals that over 96% of underage marriages involve girls. In 2022, only 4% of underage marriage requests concerned boys.
Early marriage, according to the ESEC, restricts girls' educational and professional opportunities, narrowing their future prospects. Moreover, it exposes them and their children to significant physical and psychological risks.
These include complications during pregnancy and childbirth, increased domestic violence, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Regarding children, the report highlights the correlation between young maternal age and higher mortality rates. Neonatal, infant, and child mortality all increase when the mother is under 25. Stillbirth and neonatal death rates are particularly alarming for mothers under 20, reaching 105.4 per thousand compared to the national average of 24.9.
