By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Iraq is poised to drastically lower its legal marriage age from 18 to just nine for girls and 15 for boys, sparking significant backlash both domestically and internationally. The proposed amendment, championed by conservative Shia Islamist parties, would allow for child marriage and grant religious leaders greater control over family issues, effectively stripping women of vital rights such as divorce, child custody, and inheritance. This proposed amendment would further exacerbate the already prevalent issue of child marriage in Iraq, where over 28% of women are married by the age of 18. While many countries around the world have set the legal age for marriage at 18, Iraq’s proposed amendment would place it among a handful of countries with the lowest legal marriage ages, prompting concerns about the safety and well-being of young girls.
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In Iraq, men may soon be allowed to marry 9-year-olds. This proposed amendment, deeply concerning to many, is viewed by experts as a devastating blow to women’s rights. The mere thought of a 9-year-old girl being forced into a marriage with an adult man is appalling and should be met with universal condemnation.
It’s hard to imagine a young girl, who should be playing with dolls and learning about the world, being subjected to the responsibilities and pressures of marriage. It’s a violation of her childhood and her right to a life free from exploitation and abuse.
The idea that this practice is justified by religious beliefs is even more disturbing. It’s a dangerous and harmful interpretation of religious teachings, twisted to justify the subjugation of women and children.
While some may argue that cultural relativism demands respect for these practices, this is a false premise. There’s a difference between respecting cultural differences and condoning harmful practices that violate basic human rights. Protecting children and empowering women should be universal values.
The world is witnessing a disturbing trend of regressive policies that threaten women’s rights. It’s time for us to speak out against these injustices and demand that all children are protected from abuse and exploitation, regardless of their culture or religion.
It’s important to remember that this proposed law is not unique to Iraq. Similar practices exist in other parts of the world, including some parts of the United States. This underscores the need for global action to address child marriage and ensure that every child is free from abuse and exploitation.
This proposed law in Iraq is a stark reminder that the fight for women’s rights is far from over. It’s a call to action for all of us to stand up for justice and equality, and to ensure that all children are protected from abuse and exploitation. The world must work together to ensure that girls are able to live their lives free from the shackles of child marriage.