Child marriage looms in Iraq as Parliament considers controversial ammendment

IRAQ – lraqi human rights advocates are sounding the alarm over a proposed amendment to the country’s marriage laws, potentially allowing girls as young as nine to be married.

Experts warn this would perpetuate child marriages, undermining girls’ futures and trapping them in potentially abusive relationships.

The amendment, backed by dominant Shia Muslim parties in Iraq’s Parliament, aims to align family law with Islamic principles. However, critics argue it would legalize child marriage, erode women’s rights and reverse progress made since the 1959 Personal Status Law.

If enacted, Iraqi women would lose rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.

Human rights groups caution that the law puts young girls at risk of violence, perpetuating harmful practices. UNICEF data reveals 28% of Iraq girls marry before 18, despite a 1959 ban often through religious exemptions requiring paternal consent.

Critics slam the government for undermining women’s rights, exploiting religious loopholes.

The proposed law has sparked widespread outrage, with concerns about child marriage, “pleasure marriages,” and gender-based discrimination.