Iraq Considers Law Change Allowing Marriage for Girls as Young as 9: Report

Photo : AFP

Iraq is poised to make significant changes to its marriage laws, potentially lowering the legal age of consent from 18 to nine years old. This proposed amendment would permit older men to marry young girls, raising alarm among human rights advocates. The initiative is led by prominent Shia Muslim parties within the Iraqi Parliament, who are pushing to revise the country's personal status law in ways reminiscent of severe restrictions on women’s rights.

If enacted, the new legislation would not only lower the minimum marriage age but also strip Iraqi women of key rights, including divorce, child custody, and inheritance. These changes would mark a sharp shift from the 1959 Law 188, enacted after the fall of the Iraqi monarchy. Law 188 had transferred authority over family law from religious leaders to the state judiciary, establishing a framework to protect women’s rights and regulate marriage practices.

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Proponents among Shia Muslim parties argue that the proposed amendment aligns with a strict interpretation of Islamic law and aims to protect young girls from “immoral relationships.” This stance, however, has met with significant resistance, as critics argue the changes undermine decades of progress in women's rights and would place young girls at risk of exploitation and abuse.

This year has been pivotal in advancing the legislation, with the amendment receiving a second reading in September—further along than previous attempts. According to experts, momentum is higher than in the past, primarily due to specific Shia parties strongly supporting the amendment, using religious arguments to restore a sense of ideological legitimacy that has waned in recent years.

Opponents have voiced strong criticism of the government and lawmakers, accusing them of eroding women’s rights with this legislation. Human rights organizations have condemned the proposed law, emphasizing the increased risk of sexual and physical violence against young girls if the changes go forward.

Though child marriages have been legally prohibited since the 1950s, approximately 28 percent of Iraqi girls are married before 18. A loophole enables religious leaders, instead of courts, to officiate these marriages with parental consent, allowing underage girls to be married to much older men.

The proposed amendment has sparked a heated debate within Iraq, underscoring the tension between traditional religious interpretations and modern human rights standards. As Iraqi lawmakers proceed with the proposed changes, both the international community and local advocates are closely watching, underscoring the urgent need to protect the rights and well-being of Iraq's young girls.

In a related development, the United Nations announced that its political mission in Iraq will conclude by 2025, ending more than two decades of involvement in the country’s political affairs. This development adds further complexity to Iraq's ongoing efforts to balance religious traditions with progressive reforms aimed at protecting women and children’s rights.

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