Morocco: Morocco Outlined Path of Reforms for Arab Countries

Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Leslie Campbell, hailed Morocco's reforms promoting women's participation in politics and electoral transparency.
Mr. Campbell, who was speaking following a seminar organized by Moroccan Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Nouzha Skalli, affirmed to the press that "Morocco has not only paved the way for reforms at the legislative level, but also with regards to voluntary commitment to dedicating seats in the Parliament for women and the adoption of the new family code."Morocco's family code reforms have been copied by several countries, he went on, stressing that the North African country has become an example of modern legislation in the Arab world. News broadcast from RTM Morocco U.S. NGO official, who participated in the international observation mission that followed the September 7 legislative elections in Morocco -held to renew the 325 members of the House of Representatives (Lower House)- lauded the "good organization" and "the transparency" of these polls. Earlier, Mrs.Skalli, who was addressing several US think tanks, voiced hope that women will represent 20% of the elected candidates in the municipal elections of 2009 and 30% in those of 2015. During her visit to the United States, the Moroccan official had talks with several top US officials, notably Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Erica J. Barks-Ruggles and US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Kent Patton.Article is taken from the Maghreb Arab Press