Iraqi girls must become of legal age at 9

Published 13 November 2024 at 10.43

Foreign. Iraq's parliament is considering a new bill to lower the marriage age to nine for girls. The proposal has met strong criticism both inside and outside the country.

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According to the proposal, presented by the country's Shia Muslim political majority, the age of consent should be lowered from 18 – which would give adult men the legal right to marry children.

According to critics, the change in the law would mean a drastic deterioration of women's rights.

– This is a disaster for women, Raya Faiq, one of the bill's most vocal opponents, told The Guardian.

Together with a group of female MPs, Raya Faiq is working to block the law's second vote, which is expected soon.

Opponents say the proposal is a step back for women's rights in Iraq and that it exposes young girls to great risks.

Recent attempts to change the law have been stopped by women's movements and protests in Iraq, but this time the religious groups have a significant upper hand in parliament, making Raya Faiq's fight against the law difficult.

– Unfortunately, many male members see no problem with adults marrying minors , says parliamentarian Alia Nassif.