AN HONORABLE MAN:

Morocco Widens Women's Marriage Rights (Reuters, October 11, 2003)

Moroccan women are to win greater rights concerning marriage and divorce under reforms presented Friday by King Mohammed VI.

The minimum age for women to marry is to be raised from 15 to 18, the same as that for men, and women are to get property rights in the marriage. Women will be able to divorce their husbands, which is not allowed now, and any divorce will require a judge's approval. Traditionally, it was enough for the husband to disavow the wife.

Muslim men will still be able to marry up to four wives, but for the first time polygamous marriages will also need a judge's authorization, in addition to the consent of the man's current wives.

In presenting the new laws, which are likely to be approved by Parliament, the King quoted the Koran: "Make husband and wife jointly responsible for the family, in keeping with the words of my ancestor the Prophet, `Only an honorable man will honor women and only an ignoble man will humble them.' "