September’s International Safe Abortion Day saw Moroccan women take to the streets for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic – and their protests have continued.
The rallies came days after the death of a 14-year-old girl, Meriem, during a clandestine abortion. The abortion happened in the house of a man who has been accused of sexually exploiting her, and he has been arrested along with the health workers involved.
Abortion is largely illegal in Morocco, permitted only when the pregnant person’s life is at risk. Abortions under other circumstances attract penalties of up to two years for those who receive them, and 10 to 30 years for the health workers involved.
