GUWAHATI: Iraq is facing widespread protests over a proposed amendment to its marriage law that would permit men to marry girls as young as nine. This new law would also lower the age of consent from 18 to nine.
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Additionally, the amendment would limit the rights of young girls, depriving them of the ability to divorce, inherit, or retain custody of their children. As a result, women’s rights activists and some Iraqi Members of Parliament (MPs) are opposing the proposed amendment, warning that this law could essentially “legalize child rape,” sparking outrage across the country.
According to reports, Alia Nassif, an Iraqi MP, condemned the amendment as a reflection of “masculine thinking” among male MPs supporting the bill. “Unfortunately, they ask, ‘What’s wrong with marrying a minor?’ without realising they are the legislators shaping people’s fate,” she said.
Raya Faiq, a coordinator for a coalition opposing the bill, reportedly called the amendment “a catastrophe for women,” warning that it would enable generational cycles of forced child marriage.
Protesters have voiced fears that this law will lead to a harsher reality for future generations of Iraqi girls, while human rights groups have stated it would likely increase sexual and physical abuse against female adolescents. They argue it could make it easier to pull girls out of school, denying them education and opportunities for independence.
Iraq’s parliament is majorly dominated by a coalition of conservative Shia Muslim parties, who are actively working to vote on this amendment.
