The debate over abortion rights has flared in Morocco after a teenager's death following an unsafe termination, but social taboos continue to stall reforms.
"If I spoke out for abortion rights in front of my brothers, I'd be risking my life," said student Leila, 21, adding that she comes from a relatively"modern" family.
Unless a pregnancy endangers a woman's health, Moroccan women undergoing abortions face up to two years in jail, while those assisting them risk five years' imprisonment. Her death came seven years after a royal commission recommended decriminalising the procedure in"certain cases" such as rape, incest, foetal malformation or if the mother is mentally disabled.
Dozens of rights activists gathered outside parliament in late September to demand changes to the"law that kills". A 2018 Algerian law provides for the"therapeutic termination of pregnancy", but rights groups note this requires a medical committee's approval and is limited to cases of mortal danger to the mother or if the baby is likely to be severely disabled.
Sentences are often reduced in cases where the procedure is undertaken to preserve the family's"honour". Libyan women with the means often seek abortions overseas.
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