In a shocking move, Iraq’s parliament has proposed a law that would lower the legal age of marriage for girls to just 9 years old. The proposed legislation, which has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, would allow girls as young as 9 to be married off with the consent of their parents.
The current legal age of marriage in Iraq is 18, but the proposed law would roll back this protection and expose young girls to the risks of early marriage, including forced marriage, domestic violence, and limited access to education.
Human rights groups and women’s organizations have denounced the proposal, saying it would be a devastating blow to the rights and well-being of Iraqi girls. They argue that early marriage would deny girls their childhood, limit their educational and economic opportunities, and put them at risk of physical and emotional harm.
The proposal has also been criticized by the United Nations, which has warned that it would violate international human rights conventions and undermine efforts to promote gender equality and empower women.
Despite the backlash, some Iraqi lawmakers have defended the proposal, arguing that it would be in line with Islamic law and would allow families to make their own decisions about their children’s lives.
However, opponents of the law say that it would be a step backwards for Iraq and would undermine the country’s efforts to modernize and promote human rights. They are urging the government to reject the proposal and protect the rights of Iraqi girls.