Women and the Law

Judicial Curriculum Development on Women's Rights
Morocco

American Bar Association
FY05 $1,225,000

Since the enactment of the new Moroccan family code, a variety of observers have noted that in practice the new code suffers from problems of application. At times, courts and lawyers utilize and apply the code in ways that are either erroneous or inconsistent with the spirit of the reform, and, in general, application is not uniform throughout the country. This program addresses this concern and develops comprehensive online modules of women's rights under international and national law to be taught to judges and clerks throughout Morocco. The curriculum, which will be adopted and standardized by the Institut Supérieur de la Magistrature (national judge institute) as part of its official core curriculum, will foster uniform interpretation and application of the code, consistent with international human rights standards and basic principles of gender equality. This is the first time e-learning is being integrated into formal judicial training.

Arab Women's Legal Network
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

American Bar Association
FY05 $850,000

This association brings together women from across the MENA region in a network of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals to exchange expertise and information, promote women as decision-makers, provide professional development training and mentoring, and help to secure women's equal rights under the law. With this funding, the network is developing sub-regional hubs in three countries to conduct professional development programs reaching more than 500 women legal professionals.

Previous May 2006 Update

Arab Women's Legal Network

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen

American Bar Association

FY03 $2,500,000

The Arab Women's Legal Network is comprised of more than 100 women from 15 countries and the Palestinian Territories. This growing association brings together women from across the region in a network of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals to exchange expertise and information, promote women as decision-makers, provide professional development training and mentoring, and help to secure women's equal rights under the law. The program conducts professional development programs reaching women legal professionals across the region, publishes the first female-run regional Law Journal, operates an information-rich website, and organizes mentoring programs to engage younger women in the law.