Controversy Erupts Over Iraqi Legislation Seeking To Reduce Legal Age Of Marriage For Girls To 9

A proposed bill in Iraq's Parliament has caused a huge public outcry, as it seeks to lower the legal marriage age for girls to just 9 years.

The Iraq Justice Ministry has introduced the controversial proposal, which seeks to amend the existing Personal Status Law, under which the minimum marriage age is currently set at 18.

The proposed legislation would allow citizens to opt between religious authorities and the civil judiciary when handling family matters.

Critics argue that this choice could severely diminish rights related to inheritance, divorce, and child custody.

Should the bill pass, it would enable girls as young as 9 and boys as young as 15 to marry, raising alarms over potential increases in child marriage and exploitation.

Opponents of the bill contend that this regressive move threatens to erode years of advancement in women's rights and gender equality.

According to the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, 28 percent of girls in Iraq are already married before the age of 18.

"Passing this law would show a country moving backward, not forwards," Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher Sarah Sanbar said.

Amal Kabashi of the Iraq Women's Network also voiced strong opposition, stating that the amendment "provides huge leeway for male dominance over family issues" in an already conservative society.

The proposed changes were initially withdrawn by the Iraqi parliament in late July following significant opposition from lawmakers.

However, they were reintroduced in a 4 August session, backed by influential Shia blocs that hold sway in the chamber.

These proposed amendments represent a significant departure from the 1959 law, which, following the fall of the Iraqi monarchy, shifted family law authority from religious leaders to the state judiciary.

The new bill seeks to reintroduce the application of religious rules, mainly from Shia and Sunni Islam, while omitting mention of other religious or sectarian groups within Iraq's diverse population.

Supporters of the bill argue that it intends to standardize Islamic law and shield young girls from "immoral relationships."

Critics, however, contend that this justification is flawed and overlooks the harsh realities associated with child marriage.

HRW's Sanbar noted that by empowering religious authorities over marriage, the amendment would "undermine the principle of equality under Iraqi law."

It also "could legalise the marriage of girls as young as nine years old, stealing the futures and well-being of countless girls," she said, NDTV reported.

However, it is still unclear if this bid to change the law will succeed as previous efforts to do so have failed.

Also Read: Sheikh Hasina's Son Says She Will Return To Bangladesh After Election Announcement, Thanks PM Modi For Saving His Mother's Life