Rabha El Haymar

Rabha El Haymar is a Moroccan activist who campaigns for the rights of illegitimate children. A film of her campaign by Deborah Perkin was shown on Moroccan TV and the resulting acclaim led to her recognition as an International Woman of Courage in 2024.

Life El Haymar was not married when she became a mother and this birth was outside the societal norms then present in Morocco. Her child would not have been entitled to the same rights as a child with married parents. El Haymar set out to address this and this was encouraged by the Moroccan 2004 family code introduced by King Mohammed VI. Awardees: (Back row) Ajna Jusić, Rina Gonoi, Fatou Baldeh, Rabha El Haymar, Benafsha Yaqoobi, Fawzia Karim Firoze, Volha Harbunova, Agather Atuhaire. Front row to left: Fariba Balouch, Fátima Corozo and Benafsha Yaqoobi The story of El Haymar's struggles was filmed by Deborah Perkin and the resulting work was titled "Bastards".

Further proposals for reform of Morocco's family code have been called for by Mohammed VI. If he supports the proposals, they will be sent to the government and parliament for legal definition to become part of the Moroccan family code.