36 PERSPECTIVES ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | VOL 42 | 2024 seen in Morocco’s case, legislative changes are not the only actions required to end underage marriage. Legal action opens opportunities for social and cultural changes. Algeria has been able to combat this generational practice through the commitment of a government that fosters new cultural practices. Without support from its own government, the public has no foundation to change social norms. Several other countries also have begun initiatives. In Mali, students and teachers lead a child marriage rescue team for classmates that has found success and proves the value and importance of regional efforts to end child marriage. Students and teachers in Southern Mali have been working together to save girls from forced underage marriage, by convincing men to decide against marrying a young girl (UN Women, 2019). In Tanzania, schoolteachers have emphasized the importance of reporting suspected child marriages to the Agape Frontiers organization. This NGO provides support for girls opposing child marriage and is a wealth of information for the people of Tanzania (UN Women, 2019). From these education efforts, there have emerged several accounts of girls advocating for themselves and rejecting marriage proposals in Niger (UN Women, 2019). These three examples highlight the importance of local action and of individual empowerment. Educational programs As seen in Niger, education is a major determinant of the likelihood of a girl marrying underaged (Sabbe et al., 2013). It is important for girls to learn their rights and speak up against family and friends forcing them into an unwanted situation. A girl’s own autonomy and agency play an integral role in the fight against child marriage. Because many families make decisions for their daughters, giving the power back to the young girl is essential in avoiding underage marriage (UNICEF, 2018). Providing accessible education to girls so they can advocate for themselves in an effective manner is a crucial element in the effort to combat child marriage. The entire burden should not be placed on a young girl, however. Many solutions focus on the actions girls and young women can take to prevent child marriage, yet these solutions ignore the other half of the underage marriage equation. Educational programs should also be set in place for boys in areas of high child marriage prevalence. Teaching about gender equality and human rights to inspire boys to be part of a better future can be impactful (UN Women, 2019). Recognizing the impact of a groom’s actions, the violation of rights, and the disregard for equality and autonomy can persuade men to decide not to marry a young girl. Additionally, in most cases, fathers are the main characters in forcing a girl to marry young. Therefore, educating men about the advantages of waiting to marry and the opportunities that arise from women’s education and success will aid in the fight against child marriage. Looking to the future Morocco must show its commitment to eliminating child marriage. One way to do so must be to ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. Social and cultural changes are built on a foundation of a supportive government with legal commitments. Underage marriage must be addressed by the Moroccan government through appropriate legislation. In particular, one major flaw in the Family Code needs to be addressed. Currently, Articles 16, 20, and 21 permit underage marriage either through delayed marriage licensing or judge approval. A second reform to the Family Code is necessary to remove contradictions regarding the minimum age requirements for women. The presence of this loophole legalizes underage marriage in practice. Additionally, cultural or religious marriages should not go unregistered. All marriages should be formally documented to ensure that the bride is at least 18 years of age. New laws need to be implemented to protect young girls from too-early marriage and proper resources and support from the government are necessary to enforce these policies (Roudi-Fahimi & Ibrahim, 2013). Child marriage should be confronted at a cultural level as well. For example, decriminalizing sex before marriage will aid in reducing familial reasons for underage marriage. However, as discussed previously, changing a law does not imply full or rapid implementation. Much work is needed to change cultural sentiments of sex before marriage, especially in cases of rape and sexual assault. Learning from the child marriage rescue team in Mali, an environment of support and acceptance of victims of child marriage can open the eyes of a community to this issue and empower others to make changes themselves. There are also opportunities for international NGOs to assist with the process of awareness in Morocco, although such opportunities come with challenges. There is a strong sense of pride and ownership within the country. If approached in the wrong way, the public or the government may see work from NGOs as attacks on Morocco’s capability of solving this issue. However, collaboration is the key to solving any issue on a global scale. International and governmental organi-
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