Iraq Proposes to Lower Marriage Age for Girls to Nine
Iraq's parliament is considering a bill to lower the legal age for girls to marry to nine years old, causing widespread outrage. Introduced by the Iraq Justice Ministry, the bill challenges the current minimum marriage age of eighteen and could lead to increased child marriages and exploitation. Critics, including human rights organizations, argue it would undermine progress in women's rights and equality.
A proposal in Iraq's parliament aims to reduce the legal age of marriage for girls to nine years old, sparking significant outrage.
The legislation, introduced by the Iraq Justice Ministry, seeks to amend the Personal Status Law, which currently sets the minimum marriage age at 18.
Critics argue this will drastically undermine women's rights and lead to increased child marriages, early pregnancies, and domestic violence.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the Iraq Women's Network, have warned of severe consequences for young girls' health and education.
The bill, which allows religious authorities to override civil judiciary decisions on family matters, was initially withdrawn but resurfaced in an August session with backing from influential Shia blocs.
Despite proponents claiming it protects young girls, opposition persists, warning it could legally sanction marriages for girls as young as nine, thus significantly regressing on gender equality.
The legislation, introduced by the Iraq Justice Ministry, seeks to amend the Personal Status Law, which currently sets the minimum marriage age at 18.
Critics argue this will drastically undermine women's rights and lead to increased child marriages, early pregnancies, and domestic violence.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the Iraq Women's Network, have warned of severe consequences for young girls' health and education.
The bill, which allows religious authorities to override civil judiciary decisions on family matters, was initially withdrawn but resurfaced in an August session with backing from influential Shia blocs.
Despite proponents claiming it protects young girls, opposition persists, warning it could legally sanction marriages for girls as young as nine, thus significantly regressing on gender equality.
