Protest against girl marriage in Iraq
Tahrir Square in the heart of Baghdad was the scene of a poignant protest against girl marriage in Iraq. Activists gathered on July 28, 2024, to voice their opposition to this age-old practice that persists in the country despite progress in other areas. The stakes are all the more crucial as the Iraqi parliament is currently debating a proposed amendment to the Personal Status Law that could legalize the marriage of girls as young as nine.
Iraq, through its Personal Status Law adopted in 1959, defines marriage as a contract between a man and a woman legally able to marry, with the aim of establishing a bond to procreate and live together. However, this traditional view of marriage has been challenged by initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of women and girls.
According to Article 7.1 of this law, for a marriage to be legal, both parties must be of sound mind and over 18 years of age. However, Article 8 allows a judge to reduce the required age to 15 if he deems it “absolutely necessary”. It is on this breach that some parliamentarians are trying to impose an unacceptable regression by authorizing older men to marry young girls.
The dramatic consequences of these early unions, often forced, are multiple. In addition to the psychological harm inflicted on young girls who do not have the maturity to understand what is happening to them, these marriages entail serious risks for the health of unborn children and young mothers. Studies have shown a correlation between the early age of brides and high infant mortality, as well as a high rate of deaths during childbirth for teenage girls.
In addition, these early marriages compromise girls’ access to education, depriving them of the opportunity to flourish and contribute fully to society. This situation reinforces socio-economic inequalities and hinders the overall development of communities, creating a vicious circle of poverty and underdevelopment.
This retrograde approach by Iraqi legislators raises essential questions about the place of women and girls in society, highlighting crucial human rights issues. Faced with this threat to women’s dignity and freedom, it is imperative that the international community react firmly.
The protection of women’s rights is not an issue exclusive to Iraq, it is a universal issue that calls for the mobilization of all. By recognizing that early marriages constitute a violation of the fundamental rights of individuals, it is up to each citizen to condemn these practices and support actions aimed at preventing them. Uniting to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights means acting to build a just and equitable society for all.
In a world where social progress and democratic aspirations should prevail, it is our collective responsibility to firmly oppose any form of attack on human dignity. Women deserve to be respected, protected and listened to. The fight against young girl marriages in Iraq is a fight for dignity, freedom and justice for all.