Moroccan premier hopes to reform women's conditions

Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi has stated in an interview with the French magazine Le Novelle Observateur that the government is hopeful of enacting laws to achieve reform conditions of women by the year 2002.

The laws which are opposed by Islamic circles. Youssoufi said " If we could achieve this main task before the end of the term of office of the current legislative council, in the year 2002, this will be very important achievement." He indicated that the final say to this effect is for the Moroccan King Muhammad 6th.

He added "we will work awaiting for the year 2002. And we have started reforms in the area of education and girls education has become compulsory and the law will punish violators."

But he admitted the difficulties hindering the process of reforming the legal status of women, especially in issues relating to marriage and divorce.