IRAQ MARRIAGE LAW: LAW 188, Amend of marriage law in Iraq and women reaction against this law.

Iraq: Iraq is set to pass a new law that would allow men to marry young girls. They are set to lowering the age of marriage from 18-year-old to 9-year-old according to telegram and other sources. Many activists have said that this amendment would take away women rights and security.

Who purposed this law and why?

The Dominant Shia Muslim parties proposed this law in Iraqi Parliament to add it to country’s “personal status law”. This could further lead to take away same other legal rights from Iraqi women such as right to divorce, child custody and inheritance too.

According to them, this law will help girls from immoral relationship and protect them. The bill would also lead to allow Iraqi citizens to choose between civil judiciary and religious authorities.

What is law 188?

The law propose in Iraqi parliament will be known as law 188 which will make change shift from 1959 legislation. This law will also shift law authority to state judiciary from religious figures.

Earlier also Iraqi government had tried to pass this law but couldn’t because of some or the other reasons but this law got surety of pass after the second reading in September 2024.

What will be the impact of this law on women rights?

The law 188 is considered to be one of the most progressive in Arab world which could led to many impacts on women’s rights like:-

This law could led to rise of gender inequality, women right to divorce, legalization of child marriage sexual and physical violence of young girls and other medical issues in girls.it will also decrease the education and employment rate of women.

According to UNICEF reports 28% of girls married by the of 18 in Iraq and this law could make the situation worst for the young girls in Iraq.

Iraqi women and other’s reaction to this law passed by government.

The entire world is criticizing Iraq for passing this law and showing concern for young girls who might suffer in this law. Many big politician and celebrity in India also criticized Iraq on pass this law. Many country and big names also compared this law to Taliban cruel laws on women.

While opposing the Islamic Sharia Law many youngsters and women came to protest on the streets of Iraq.in the same process many Iraqi women groups are also sparking the opposition groups. The people of Iraq are saying that the child marriage rate of Iraq is already high and this law will make its situation worst for Iraq.

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Whereas this law could also lead Iraq closer to other Islamic regimes like Iran and Afghanistan.

Report By: Enakshi Dasgupta