Iraq’s parliament is nearing a decision on an amendment to the Personal Status Law that would allow religious authorities to dictate marriage and inheritance, potentially legalizing child marriage for girls as young as nine. This change threatens to erode women’s rights, increase sectarian divisions, and eliminate protections established under state law. Protests are mounting against the amendment as activists fight to preserve the legal rights of women and girls.
In a move that threatens to roll back decades of progress for women’s rights, Iraq’s parliament is poised to approve an amendment to the Personal Status Law. This law would hand over control of marriage and inheritance matters to religious authorities, raising alarming concerns over child marriage, particularly for girls as young as nine. The amendment’s passage would strip women and girls of their hard-earned rights, erode legal protections, and deepen the sectarian divide within the country, as it permits varying rights based on religious affiliations. Protesters and women’s rights activists have rallied against this potential legislation, decrying its potential to plunge Iraq into legal obscurity and perpetuate a culture that devalues women’s lives and freedoms.
The proposal to amend Iraq’s Personal Status Law reflects a disturbing trend towards religious influence in civil matters, particularly those affecting women and children. For decades, activists have fought for rights that ensure gender equality, protection from violence, and access to education. However, this amendment threatens to institutionalize child marriage and enforce sectarian laws that would undermine women’s rights, which are already precarious in many parts of the nation. The backdrop of increasing child marriage rates—28 percent of girls married before 18—makes the urgency of this issue more pressing, highlighting the risk of reverting to outdated, harmful practices.
As the Iraqi parliament considers this profound legislation, the potential repercussions echo louder than ever, raising the stakes for women and girls across the nation. The amendment could unravel significant legal protections, establishing a precedent that predominantly favors religious authority over individual rights. The outcry from activists serves as a stark reminder that the fight for human rights, especially for women, continues in Iraq. If lawmakers choose to disregard decades of progress, the repercussions will resonate through generations, stifling the aspirations and futures of countless girls.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
