Kelby Chichester
A controversial Shia-backed law in Iraq could significantly lower the legal age of consent for marriage from 18 to just nine years old. If passed, the law would permit parents to arrange marriages for their young daughters and grant religious authorities the power to officiate these unions.
Currently, Iraq does not have a male guardianship system, which in some countries requires women to seek permission from male family members for major decisions such as marriage. However, the proposed legislation has sparked outrage and protests, particularly from women parliamentarians and activist groups who warn of the dire consequences for girls' rights and welfare.
The bill, which has now passed its second reading in parliament, has drawn widespread criticism, including from international human rights organizations. Activists have described it as a severe setback for women’s rights in Iraq, raising concerns over the exploitation and abuse of young girls under the guise of marriage.
"This is a catastrophe for women," said Raya Faiq, the coordinator for a coalition of groups opposing the law change, which also includes some Iraqi MPs. "My husband and my family oppose child marriage. But imagine if my daughter gets married and my daughter’s husband wants to marry off my granddaughter as a child. The new law would allow him to do so. I would not be allowed to object. This law legalizes child rape." The new law would bring back a Taliban-style of slashing women’s rights.
Activists, who successfully blocked similar legislation in 2014 and 2017, are mobilizing once again to prevent the latest attempt to lower the marriage age for girls. Raya Faiq, coordinator of a coalition challenging the proposed law, described the legislation as a "catastrophe for women." She has garnered support from Iraqi MPs, who joined her efforts to oppose the bill in August.
Iraqi citizens have taken to the streets of Baghdad and other cities to protest a proposed law that could lower the legal marriage age for girls to nine.
The demonstrations have led to clashes with local law enforcement, reflecting the deep divisions over the controversial legislation.
While marriage under the age of 18 has been prohibited by law in Iraq since the 1950s, a UNICEF survey found that 28% of girls in the country marry before turning 18, highlighting ongoing societal challenges.
In Iraq’s government, 25 female MPs have attempted to block the proposed law from advancing to a second vote. However, they report facing significant opposition from their male colleagues, making it nearly impossible to halt the bill’s progress. Activists and women leaders have condemned the proposal, warning of its potential to undermine the rights of young girls.
"Unfortunately, male MPs who support this law speak in a masculine way, asking what’s wrong with marrying a minor? Their thinking is narrow-minded. They don’t take into consideration that they are the legislators that determine people’s fate … but rather follow their masculine thinking to authorize all this," said Alia Nassif, an Iraqi MP.
Protesters fear that their children could face an even harsher future than their own if the law changes are adopted. "I have one daughter, I don’t want her to be forced like me to marry as a child," said Azhar Jassim, who had to leave school to be married at 16.
Dr. Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, told The Telegraph that the controversial child marriage bill is closer to becoming law than ever before. "It's the closest it's ever been. It has more momentum than it's ever had, primarily because of the Shia parties," he explained.
However, Dr. Mansour noted that not all Shia factions support the legislation. He clarified that "specific ones" are driving the push, leveraging their influence to advance the bill.
He suggested that these factions are using the proposal as a way to "regain some of the ideological legitimacy that has been waning over the last few years," aiming to consolidate their power amid shifting political dynamics.
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