Controversial Bill in Iraq Proposes Lower Marriage Age for Girls to 9
A new bill introduced in Iraq’s parliament has sparked significant controversy by proposing to lower the legal marriage age for girls to 9 and boys to 15. This draft bill also seeks to allow individuals to choose between religious authorities or the civil judiciary for family-related matters, raising concerns about its potential impact on legal proceedings regarding inheritance, child custody, and divorce.
Currently, Iraq’s Personal Status Law sets the legal marriage age at 18. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the bill, with researcher Sarah Sanbar warning that it represents a step backward for the country. Sanbar highlighted the problem of unregistered child marriages conducted by religious leaders, which violate the existing law.
UNICEF data reveals that 28% of women aged 20 to 24 in Iraq were married before 18, with 7% married before 15. Amal Kabashi from the Iraq Women’s Network criticized the bill for potentially increasing male dominance in family matters.
The bill was withdrawn in late July after strong backlash but was reintroduced on August 4 with support from influential Shiite blocs. MP Raed al-Maliki, who introduced the bill, has denied that it aims to reduce the marriage age, describing objections as stemming from a “malicious agenda.”
Women’s rights groups and a coalition of female lawmakers have voiced strong opposition, fearing the bill could reverse recent gains in women’s rights and legitimize child marriage. Demonstrators in Tahrir Square have protested the proposal, denouncing it as an attack on women’s rights in Iraq.
