Iraq could allow marriage for girls as young as 9. A survivor says it would fuel rape and child abuse.
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Lawmakers in Iraq are proposing amendments to the country’s Personal Status Law that could allow marriage for girls as young as 9.

Summary

Proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law could allow girls as young as 9 to marry, sparking outrage from rights groups and survivors like “Batta,” who endured abuse after being forced into marriage at 11.

The changes would shift decision-making power to clerics, undermining existing protections for women and children established in 1959.

Supporters claim the amendments promote family values, but critics call them a violation of children’s rights and a step toward legalized child abuse.

Activists and lawmakers are working to block the controversial proposal.

  • EpeeGnome@lemm.eeEnglish
    601·
    8 days ago

    They don’t need to take any notes. Child marriage is legal and still happening in many US states. And you guessed it, it’s Replicans who defend those laws, by invoking “family values”.

    It’s horrible that they plan to change the law to allow that to happen over there, but we here in the US aren’t in any position to feel morally superior about it till we finally ban it ourselves.