Communication Commons^™

Underage Moroccan Girls Married Off With Judges' Consent, Hannah Rehak

Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

10 Years After Progressive Changes to the Family Code, Morocco’s rate of Underage Marriages is still on the Rise

In Morocco, Illegitimate Children Struggle For Rights, Rachel Woolf, Lauren Kopchik

Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

In Morocco, Illegitimate Children Struggle for Rights

153 illegitimate children are born in Morocco every day. These children, born to unwed mothers, are among the lowest ranks of society. They live without an education, healthcare or the possibility of official employment. Legally, illegitimate children have no rights. They cannot have their identities recognized without a mother registering them with a marriage license as proof of a legal sexual relationship. The Penal Code punishes any couple with relations out of wedlock and parents who do not register their children with the state risk imprisonment.

This story describes and documents the daily …

Urban Arts And The Youth Of Morocco, Ruqayyah F. Ali

Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

Three thousand six hundred miles away from Washington D.C., the United States Embassy is using U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund urban arts programs for youths in Morocco. In a country where arts are not promoted and youth unemployment is high, there are not many options for self-expression and youths to learn leadership skills. Local associations, funded by the U.S. Embassy, are attempting to provide youths with the space and tools needed to facilitate growth and development in life skills and the arts. These urban arts programs include workshops, exhibitions, and competitions in street art, music, painting, dancing, skateboarding, and BMX …

A Radio Report On Morocco’S Rentier Economy And Democracy, Veronica Seltzer

Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

Morocco seems different from other Arab Spring countries. There’s been no revolution here and, while some people are protesting for more democracy, a lot more seem to dream of something else -- the chance to persuade the King to give them a business. In fact, the King – who is the ultimate authority in Morocco -- has given businesses as gifts to thousands of Moroccans and many more are hoping in this country where fifteen percent of people are unemployed. Veronica Jean Seltzer reports from Morocco’s capital, Rabat:

Soulaliyate Women’S Fight For Inheritance Rights, Stacy Wheeler

Morocco: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media

In Morocco, thousands of women cannot inherit land. These women, called Soulaliyates, live on communal land governed by tribal laws. When the land is sold, the proceeds go to the men who have been living on the land, but these men typically give none of the money from the sale to their female relatives, especially single women. Hundreds of Soulaliyate women, unable to make ends meet, have had no choice but to move into urban slums where they endure terrible conditions. Some women have even been forced to live with animals.

Rkia Bellot is one of the Soulaliyate women. In …