The reform of the Moroccan Family Code (Mudawana) in 2004 was a watershed in the campaign for women’s rights. The change ushered in a new era in which it was possible to talk openly about such issues as violence against women.

But five years on the levels of violence remain unchanged and the Women’s Action Union is now mobilising public opinion in the battle to win more protection for women. In Casablanca recently more than fifteen thousand signatures were collected in a day calling on the city council to build shelters for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence.

Jane Gabriel met some of the women who have fled violence and the women running the new campaign.