Iraq’s shocking new law sparks global outrage — Parliament just approved amendments allowing girls as young as 9 to be married.

*Iraq's Shocking New Law: A Devastating Blow to Women's Rights*

In a move that has sparked widespread condemnation and outrage, the Iraqi parliament has approved amendments to the country's Personal Status Law, allowing girls as young as nine to be married. This decision has sent shockwaves across the globe, with human rights groups, women's rights activists, and international organizations condemning the move as a major setback for women and children's rights in Iraq.

*A Step Backward for Women's Rights*

The 1959 Personal Status Law, which had set the legal marriage age at 18, was once considered a model for women's equality in the Middle East. The law had protected women's rights and provided them with critical protections, including divorce and inheritance rights. However, the new amendments have overturned decades of progress, stripping away these protections and allowing girls as young as nine to be married ¹.

*Global Outrage and Condemnation*

The international community has been swift in its condemnation of Iraq's new law. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have denounced the move, warning that it will open the door to abuse and exploitation of young girls. The United Nations has also expressed its concern, urging the Iraqi government to reconsider the amendments ².

*Consequences of Child Marriage*

Child marriage has severe and long-lasting consequences for girls, including early pregnancy, domestic violence, and limited access to education and employment opportunities. According to UNICEF, 28% of girls in Iraq are married before the age of 18, and this number is likely to increase with the new law in place. The law will also perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality, further entrenching gender-based violence and discrimination ³.

*A Threat to Human Rights*

Iraq's new law is a clear violation of human rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The law undermines the principles of equality and non-discrimination, enshrined in the Iraqi Constitution, and will likely lead to increased vulnerability of women and girls to violence and abuse ².

*A Call to Action*

The international community must take immediate action to pressure the Iraqi government to reconsider the amendments and protect the rights of women and girls. Women's rights activists and human rights groups are calling for a united response to this crisis, urging governments and international organizations to speak out against the law and support efforts to protect women's rights in Iraq.

As the world watches, it is imperative that we take a stand against this egregious violation of human rights. The future of Iraq's girls and women hangs in the balance, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their rights are protected and respected.

=

=

*Key Facts:*

- *Minimum age of marriage*: The new law allows girls as young as 9 to be married, while the legal marriage age for boys has been reduced to 15.

- *Impact on women's rights*: The law strips away critical protections, including divorce and inheritance rights, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.

- *International condemnation*: The law has been condemned by human rights groups, the United Nations, and international organizations, warning of the severe consequences for women and girls in Iraq.

- *Human rights implications*: The law violates Iraq's international obligations, including CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the Child ³ ² ¹.