The Iraqi government is poised to pass a new law that would lower the age of consent from 18 to nine and allow men to marry girls that young, according to a report.
In August, the Shia religious group that dominates Iraq's political system introduced an amendment to "Law 188" that would roll back women's rights in the country. Under the law, known also as Personal Status Law, the legal age of marriage was raised to 18. Forced marriages were prohibited. Mothers also had custody of their children until the age of 10, with a possible extension to age 15. Furthermore, all marriages were to be contracted before a judge.
If passed, the bill would lower the age of consent from the current 18 to nine. It would also allow families to marry off their young girls to grown men. Additionally, it would allow religious authorities or the civil judiciary to make decisions related to family affairs, per the New York Post.
"This is a catastrophe for women," Raya Faiq, a coordinator of a coalition of groups opposing the change, said, as quoted by The Guardian. "This law legalizes child rape."
In addition to lowering the age of consent, the Shia group is also proposing severely restricting women's rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
Iraq's Child Marriages
The Iraqi government outlawed marriages involving children under the age of 18 in the 1950s. However, a 2023 survey from UNICEF found that 28% of girls in Iraq were married before they even reached the age of 18. No evidence of child marriages was reported among Iraqi boys.
Should the new law pass, it could further increase the number of young girls who are married off before their 18th birthday. It also puts young girls at risk of experiencing physical or sexual violence.
It is unclear when the amendment will go before the parliament for a vote. The Shia group has previously attempted to amend Law 188 in 2014 and 2017 but failed after receiving backlash from Iraqi women.
However, the group now holds a large majority in the parliament.
