The Iraqi Parliament is set to legalize child marriage, a major setback for the rights of women and girls in the country.
The move follows a controversial bill passed on August 16, 2024, which would lower the legal age of marriage to 13 for girls and 16 for boys.
The new legislation is a revision of the current Personal Status Law, which currently sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a statement condemning a draft personal status law that effectively legalizes child marriage in Iraq. The bill, which was approved by the Iraqi Council of Ministers in July, now awaits parliamentary approval.
“The Iraqi Parliament is poised to legalize what amounts to child marriage, which is a gross violation of the rights of women and girls in the country,” said Adam Coogle, Middle East researcher at HRW. “Married girls face increased risks to their health and education and are often victims of domestic violence.”
Human rights advocates and child protection groups have condemned the decision, saying it would endanger the lives and well-being of thousands of minors by exposing them to forced marriage, exploitation, and health risks from early pregnancy.
Opponents of the bill also claim that it would reinforce patriarchal social norms and undermine ongoing efforts to promote girls’ education, empowerment, and equal participation in Iraqi society.
The proposal sparked protests across Iraq, with many citizens expressing outrage at what they saw as a flagrant violation of human rights and a regression in child protection.
Human rights activists now fear that this decision will encourage other countries in the region to follow suit and weaken legal protections for children.
Human rights organizations continue to lobby against this measure and urge the Iraqi government to respect its international commitments to children’s rights and gender equality.
The international community is watching the situation closely, fearing that this decision will have devastating consequences for future generations of Iraqi children.
Opponents of the bill have used the hashtag #No_To_Child_Marriage on social media to express their anger and disappointment at the possibility of the law being passed. They are calling on the Iraqi Parliament to reject the bill and protect the rights and future of girls in Iraq.
