jfid – Massive protests are taking place across Iraq in response to a proposed bill that would lower the legal marriage age for girls to nine years old.
This amendment, currently under discussion in parliament, has sparked outrage among human rights groups and women’s organizations throughout the country.
The bill grants religious leaders the authority to set marriage ages, which many see as an effort to undermine the long-fought rights of women.
Coalition 188, comprising various NGOs, politicians, and activists, has been leading protests in major cities like Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf.
They view the bill as a serious threat to the rights of women and children and as an attempt to revert power to religious authorities, abandoning the civil judicial system.
According to UNICEF, about 28% of girls in Iraq are married before the age of 18. Critics emphasize that legalizing marriage at such a young age could worsen this situation, leading to increased school dropouts, early pregnancies, and domestic violence.
Supporters of the bill claim that the amendment is designed to protect young girls from immoral relationships by standardizing Islamic law.
However, critics argue that this reasoning overlooks the negative impacts of early marriage on the well-being and future of young girls.
Resistance to the bill involves many stakeholders, including female members of parliament who are working hard to prevent its passage.
They voice concerns that this legislation would roll back women’s rights to levels far below those achieved since 1959.
The debate over this bill is significant not only for Iraq but also draws international attention due to its potential impact on women’s rights across the region.
The Iraqi government is under pressure to heed the voices of activists and the public who strongly oppose this perceived regressive legal change.
