The International Women of Courage Awards was recently presented to Rabha El Haymar in Washington by the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at a ceremony held at the White House in the presence of the Moroccan Ambassador to the USA, Youssef Amrani. But who is Rabha El Haymar?
Rabha El Haymar was born in 1987 in Ben Ahmed in Mzab, Settat province. She was forced by her family to marry at the age of 14 through the traditional « Fatiha » ceremony. As a result, she was deprived of her right to education. Two years later, she left her violent husband while pregnant.
She fought to have her traditional marriage recognized under the 2004 reform of the Moroccan Family Code in order to spare her daughter a life of marginalization and discrimination as a stateless person. Unfortunately, her daughter was also unable to access education and healthcare.
Rabha’s story inspired British filmmaker Deborah Perkin, who documented it in a film called « Bastards. » Rabha hopes that this film will inspire other women and drive change.
When asked how she felt about receiving the prestigious International Women of Courage Award among twelve inspiring women from around the world, Rabha expressed her honor and gratitude. She was nominated by the former US Consul General in Casablanca, Jennifer Rasamimanana, and feels privileged to be recognized alongside such incredible women.
The reforms made to the Moroccan Family Code in 2004 had a significant impact on Rabha’s life. These reforms brought her justice and allowed her to protect her daughter’s rights. She hopes that further reforms will continue to protect the rights of women and children and ensure their equal citizenship.
Looking towards the future, Rabha is optimistic about the ongoing reforms in the Moroccan Family Code. She hopes that the new changes will abolish child marriage and further safeguard the rights of women and children, particularly in terms of financial support, education, healthcare, and other essentials.
Rabha El Haymar’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, courage, and the importance of advocating for women’s rights. Her story serves as a reminder of the impact of legal reform in empowering women and protecting their rights.
