i. Marriage
The reformed Mudawana defines marriage as “a legal contract by which a man and a woman consent to unite in order to have a common and lasting marital life.”74 The stated goal of marriage, among other things, is to create “the foundation of a stable family.”75 Previously, the code allowed the husband alone to direct the marriage and required the wife’s “obedience.”76 In addition, the previous code specifically cited the need to procreate.77 Article 19 now establishes the age of marital consent as eighteen for men and women.78 Previously, the age of consent was eighteen for men, but fifteen for women.79 Article 24 removes the odious guardianship requirement80 and makes