Outcry as Iraqi Parliament Legalizes Child Marriage for Girls as Young as Nine

IQIraq|

In a controversial move, the Iraqi parliament has passed a law allowing child marriages for girls as young as nine years old. The law, which received approval yesterday, grants religious authorities the power to oversee family matters, including marriage and divorce, effectively reversing a ban on the marriage of minors that had been in place since the 1950s.

Opponents of the law, including women’s rights groups and legal experts, have expressed outrage, warning that it could lead to an increase in child marriages and effectively “legalize child rape.” Prominent lawyer Mohammed Juma stated, "We have reached the end of women’s rights and the end of children’s rights in Iraq."

Child marriage has been a persistent issue in Iraq, with recent UN surveys indicating that approximately 28% of girls are married before their 18th birthday. Activists fear the new legislation will apply retroactively to existing court cases, further jeopardizing the rights of women and children regarding alimony and custody.

The decision has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics asserting that it places the fates of women and children in the hands of clerics, raising concerns about the erosion of women's rights in the country. Independent MP Sajjad Salem remarked on the detrimental impact this law could have on Iraq's reputation.

Additionally, Alia Nassif, a member of the parliament’s legal committee, has announced plans to challenge the law in the federal court, citing procedural concerns regarding the vote.

As demonstrations and protests erupt across Iraq, activists continue to emphasize the need for stronger protections for women and children rather than laws that enable underage marriages.

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