Iraq's parliament has passed a controversial law allowing child marriage, legalizing unions for girls as young as nine. The law, which grants religious authorities control over family matters, has sparked outrage among activists who argue it undermines women's and children's rights, especially with the potential for retroactive application.
The recent passage of a controversial law in Iraq has sparked outrage, especially among women’s rights groups and activists. The law permits child marriage, allowing girls as young as nine years old to marry, a significant rollback of children’s rights and women’s autonomy. Religious authorities now have the authority to govern matters like marriage, divorce, and child custody, effectively overriding a long-standing ban on child marriage.
This decision, which critics describe as a “legalization of child rape,” has raised fears of retroactive applications affecting alimony and custody cases. Child marriage has been a persistent issue in Iraq, with 28% of girls married before turning 18, according to a 2023 UN report. While some view it as an escape from poverty, the consequences often include social stigmatization and limited educational opportunities.
The law now allows religious sects to set marriage ages—Shia Muslims can marry off girls as young as nine, while Sunni Muslims must wait until 15. The decision has faced opposition, with calls for legal challenges, but the law has been passed with minimal parliamentary opposition.
Activists and individuals fear that this law represents a dangerous step backward for women's and children's rights in Iraq.
