Marriage rate up, divorce down, Minister

The number of marriage contracts stood at 243.492, in the period from February 2004 and January 2005, achieving an increase of 2.76%, while cases of divorce plummeted 40%, revealed Wednesday, Justice Minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa.

Addressing the House of Representatives' question time, the minister said the implementation of the new Family Code has had a positive impact on marriage rates in Morocco.

In January 2004, the kingdom introduced important amendments on the family code that enhance women rights and children rights, and reinforce family ties.

Bouzoubaa also revealed that divorce at the wife's request declined by 42.3%, which evidences that married women are "no longer obliged to divorce in exchange of a compensation."