Iraq’s parliament is considering a controversial amendment to lower the legal marriage age for girls to nine, a move that has drawn intense criticism from women’s rights activists. The proposed law, championed by conservative Shia parties, would amend the country’s 1959 “personal status law,” which has long been seen as a progressive standard for family rights in the region.
Supporters of the bill argue it aligns with certain interpretations of Islamic law, claiming it would protect young girls from “immoral relationships.” However, critics warn that the amendment could lead to a rise in child marriages and significantly undermine women’s rights, including restrictions on divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
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The proposal has provoked nationwide protests, led by advocacy groups such as Coalition 188, with activists describing it as a “regression” from Iraq’s legal principles and a potential pathway to “legalizing child exploitation.” Many fear that such a shift would erode hard-won rights and destabilize Iraq’s social fabric.
Women’s rights advocates continue to call on the Iraqi government to reject the law, urging lawmakers to consider the long-term implications on Iraq’s children and social stability.
