Iraq Set to Lower Legal Age of Consent to Nine, Curb Women’s Rights in Family Law Reform

Iraq’s parliament is on the verge of a controversial vote that could lower the legal age of consent for marriage from 18 to nine, and significantly restrict women’s rights in divorce, custody, and inheritance. This proposed amendment to Iraq’s “Personal Status Law” has sparked an outcry both domestically and internationally, with critics warning of serious implications for women’s and children’s rights.

The 1959 law, also known as Law 188, has long been viewed as one of the Middle East’s most progressive family laws, ensuring a unified framework for the personal and family affairs of Iraqis regardless of their religious sect. The amendment would drastically alter this framework, aligning it with a strict interpretation of Islamic law advocated by a coalition of conservative Shia Muslim parties that dominate Iraq’s parliament.

The coalition argues that the changes will protect young girls from “immoral relationships” and uphold traditional values. However, the reform would also strip women of key rights, including the ability to initiate divorce, retain child custody, and inherit property on an equal basis.

This amendment has reached its second reading as of September 16 and is closer than ever to passing, according to Dr. Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House. “This attempt has gained more momentum than previous efforts in 2014 and 2017, which failed amid a public backlash from women and rights advocates,” he said. Dr. Mansour views the amendment as part of a broader strategy by Shia Islamist factions to consolidate power and regain ideological legitimacy.

No date has been set for the final vote, but sources say the amendment could go before parliament at any time. Women’s rights groups in Iraq and across the globe are monitoring the situation closely, expressing concerns about the potential rollback of decades of progress in gender equality and child protection in Iraq.