tr.euronews.com
Iraq's Controversial Plan to Lower Marriage Age
Iraq is considering lowering the legal marriage age for girls to 9, sparking widespread protests and raising concerns about women's rights.
Turkish
United States
PoliticsMiddle EastGender IssuesWomen's RightsLegal ReformChild Marriage
Iraqi ParliamentChatham HouseHuman Rights Watch (Hrw)Unicef
Renad MansourSarah Sanbar
- What are the main arguments for and against the proposed change?
- The proposed change would also remove crucial rights for women, including those related to divorce, child custody, and inheritance. This has sparked outrage among women's rights advocates and sparked protests.
- What is the broader political context surrounding this proposed change?
- Dr. Renad Mansour from Chatham House suggests the move is part of a broader political strategy to consolidate power and strengthen religious authority. Activists fear that it will further weaken gender equality in Iraq.
- What other women's rights are at risk with this proposed legal amendment?
- The proposed changes aim to amend Law 188, the personal status law, introduced in 1959. Critics argue that altering this law would undermine decades of social progress and exacerbate sectarian divisions within the country.
- What is the proposed change to the legal age of marriage for girls in Iraq?
- Iraq's parliament is considering lowering the legal age of marriage for girls from 18 to 9. This move is supported by the ruling coalition, who claim it protects girls from immoral relationships. However, women's rights groups strongly condemn this as legalizing child rape.
- What is the history of similar attempts to alter the personal status law in Iraq?
- While previous attempts to change Law 188 have been unsuccessful due to strong opposition from Iraqi women, the current proposal raises serious concerns about the future of women's rights and the potential for increased child marriage in the country. Approximately 28% of Iraqi women are married before the age of 18.