The Iraqi parliament has sparked widespread condemnation after passing a controversial law that permits children as young as nine years old to marry. Activists and women’s rights groups have denounced the move, labeling it a violation of basic human rights and a step towards “legalizing child rape.”
Key Provisions of the Law
The legislation, passed on Tuesday, grants religious authorities the power to decide family matters, including marriage, divorce, and child custody. This effectively nullifies a ban on child marriage under the age of 18, which had been in place since the 1950s. For Shia Muslims, who form the majority in Iraq, the minimum age for marriage is set at nine, while for Sunni Muslims, it is 15.
Activists and Politicians React
The law has been met with horror by human rights advocates and political figures. Lawyer Mohammed Juma, a prominent critic of the legislation, declared:
“We have reached the end of women’s rights and the end of children’s rights in Iraq.”
Iraqi journalist Saja Hashim echoed this sentiment, calling the decision “terrifying” and expressing fears over how it would shape the future for Iraqi women.
Raya Faiq, spokesperson for the feminist group Coalition 188, shared harrowing accounts of the law’s immediate effects:
“We received an audio recording of a woman crying her eyes out because of the passage of this law, with her husband threatening to take her daughter away unless she gives up her rights to financial support.
Impact on Children and Women
Child marriage has been a persistent issue in Iraq. According to a 2023 UN survey, 28% of girls in Iraq were married before the age of 18. Activists argue that the new law could exacerbate this problem, undermining efforts to keep girls in school and protect their rights.
For many girls, marriage is presented as a means of escaping poverty, but these unions often lead to lifelong challenges, including social stigma, unfinished education, and limited opportunities.
Pushback Against the Law
Some Iraqi MPs and legal experts have questioned the legitimacy of the vote. Alia Nassif, a member of the parliament’s legal committee, claimed that the session lacked the quorum necessary to pass the law. She announced plans to challenge the decision in Iraq’s federal court.
Independent MP Sajjad Salem condemned the legislation, stating:
“The Iraqi state has never witnessed a decline and profanity that harmed Iraq’s wealth and reputation as we are witnessing today.”
Global Condemnation
The law has drawn international criticism, with human rights groups calling on Iraq to repeal the legislation. Women’s rights advocate Benin Elias emphasized the need for resistance, stating:
“This is not the time for tears nor surrender to barbaric decisions.
The Iraqi government has yet to respond to the widespread backlash, but the law’s opponents remain determined to challenge it through legal and public advocacy.
