In a deeply concerning move, Iraq is on the brink of legalizing child marriage with a new personal status law that would allow girls as young as nine years old to be wed. This legislation, grounded in a strict interpretation of Sharia law, is poised to institutionalize child marriage and, in effect, legitimize what many consider to be a form of pedophilia. The international community must urgently and unequivocally condemn this regressive law to safeguard the rights and futures of Iraqi children.
Iraq’s existing Personal Status Law, enacted in 1959, set the minimum marriage age at 18, with provisions allowing those as young as 15 to marry with judicial approval. The new law, however, drastically lowers this threshold, aligning it with certain interpretations of Sharia law that permit marriage for girls at the age of nine. Proponents argue that this change respects religious freedom and cultural traditions. However, such arguments fail to acknowledge the severe physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences of child marriage.
Child marriage has devastating impacts on young girls. It truncates their education, exposing them to a cycle of poverty and dependence. Married girls are at higher risk of domestic violence, and early pregnancies pose severe health risks, including complications that can lead to maternal and infant mortality. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other human rights organizations have consistently highlighted the detrimental effects of child marriage on individuals and societies.
The international community has long recognized child marriage as a violation of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that marriage should be entered into only with the “free and full consent” of both parties, a condition impossible for a nine-year-old to meet. Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iraq is a signatory, obligates states to protect children from all forms of exploitation and harm, including practices that jeopardize their well-being.
The world must not remain silent in the face of Iraq’s proposed legislation. Governments, international organizations, and civil society groups must collectively voice their opposition and exert diplomatic pressure on Iraqi authorities to abandon this law. Sanctions, aid conditionality, and public condemnation can be effective tools in compelling a reconsideration of such regressive measures.
It is equally crucial to support local Iraqi organizations that advocate for women’s and children’s rights. Empowering these groups can foster grassroots opposition to the law and promote broader cultural shifts toward gender equality and child protection. International aid and partnerships should prioritize education, healthcare, and legal reforms that enhance the rights and opportunities of girls and women in Iraq.
Iraq’s move to legalize child marriage at the age of nine is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights worldwide. Such a law, if enacted, would represent a significant setback for the rights of children and women in Iraq, and a troubling precedent for other nations. The global community must stand united in condemning this legislation and work tirelessly to protect the rights and futures of all children. It is not only a moral imperative but a necessary step towards a more just and equitable world.
