The Government of Iraq is processing a bill that would would allow the marriage of girls as young as 9 years old.a decision that has alerted women’s rights activists who claim it would “legalize child rape”.
As reported by The Guardian, the Shi’ite religious groups that dominate the political system in Iraq have been pushing to erode women’s rights in the country for more than a decade.
Unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, Iraq does not have a male guardianship system that requires women to hold the permission of a husband, father or male guardian to make crucial life decisions, such as marriage.
However, a new proposal would give religious authorities the power to decide on family matters, including marriage, the divorce and child care.
“This is a catastrophe for women.”said Raya Faiq, coordinator of a coalition of groups opposing the law change that includes some Iraqi parliamentarians.
“My husband and family oppose child marriage. But imagine if my daughter gets married and my daughter’s husband wants to marry off my granddaughter as a child. The new law would allow him to do so. I would not be able to oppose it. This law legalizes child rape“, he argues.