Shaimaa Saadoun recalls being coerced into a marriage with a 39-year-old man at just 13, a memory that still haunts her. Her impoverished family arranged the marriage near Basra in hopes of bettering their financial situation. Although the marriage was illegal according to Iraqi law, a judge, who was related to the husband, approved it. Iraqi law typically sets 18 as the minimum marriage age. Yet, proposed amendments in parliament may allow religious authorities more influence over family law, potentially permitting the marriage of girls as young as nine.
These changes are being pushed by influential Shiite Muslim political groups supported by religious leaders who oppose perceived Western influence. The amendments would enable Iraqis to seek guidance from religious courts on family matters, potentially allowing clerics to decide based on Shariah law, which could mean marriage for girls in their early teens.
Many Iraqi women have protested against these changes, arguing that they would be a setback and diminish societal standards. Critics argue that such amendments prioritize the husband’s choices over women’s rights. While some religious leaders support the amendments, others, like a Sunni cleric, argue against lowering the marriage age.
The proposed changes have sparked heated debates in Iraq, with some seeing them as a move to counter Western secularism. Enforcements of existing laws, such as the legal marriage age of 18, have been weak, with some judges approving underage marriages. Discussions are ongoing about the minimum marriage age under the new amendments.
Despite proponents asserting that the changes protect Iraqi culture from Western influence, some activists and human rights organizations oppose the amendments, viewing them as regressive. Critics fear the amendments could institutionalize sectarianism and weaken civil courts in Iraq. Ultimately, Iraqi women are voicing the most vocal opposition to the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of respecting their rights and ensuring a better future for girls in the country.
