Iraq law could lower a girl’s age of consent as an adult from 18 to 9: it ‘legalizes child rape’
Young girls in Iraq are facing a potential threat to their future as a proposed law seeks to lower the age of consent for marriage from 18 to just 9 years old. This controversial law would allow parents to arrange marriages for their young daughters, with religious authorities also having the power to carry out marriages.
The implications of such a law are alarming, with many women’s rights activists and female members of parliament speaking out against it. Raya Faiq, the coordinator for a coalition of groups opposing the law change, described it as a “catastrophe for women”, highlighting the potential for child rape and the erosion of women’s rights.
The backlash against the proposed law has been met with protests on the streets of Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. Citizens are standing up against what they see as a Taliban-style attack on women’s rights, with clashes between protesters and law enforcement occurring.
Despite national laws prohibiting marriage under the age of 18 since the 1950s, a Unicef survey found that 28% of girls in Iraq still get married before they turn 18. This new law threatens to exacerbate the problem and roll back the progress made in protecting young girls from early marriages.
Nadia Mahmood, co-founder of the Iraq-based Aman Women’s Alliance, believes that the male-dominated parliament is feeling threatened by the growing influence of youth organizations and women in society. The push for this regressive law is seen as an attempt to suppress the voices of women and restrict their rights.
Female members of parliament have been fighting against the proposed law, but face strong opposition from their male colleagues. Alia Nassif, an Iraqi MP, criticized the narrow-minded thinking of those who support the law, emphasizing the need for legislators to consider the impact of their decisions on people’s lives.
Protesters fear for the future of their children if this law is passed, with many recalling their own experiences of being forced into early marriages. Azhar Jassim, who was married at 16, expressed her desire for her daughter to have a different fate and not be subjected to the same hardships.
The fight against child marriage in Iraq continues, with women and activists standing up against this dangerous proposal that threatens the rights and well-being of young girls. The battle for gender equality and protection of children from early marriage rages on, as Iraqis strive to create a better future for the next generation.
