Iraq is preparing to pass legal amendments to its marriage law. This law allows men to marry girls as young as nine years of age.
The amendments have also been proposed to deny women the right to divorce, child custody and inheritance, reports The Telegraph.
The bill would also allow citizens to choose between religious authorities or the civil judiciary to decide on family matters.
The conservative government led by a coalition of Shia parties aims to pass the proposed amendment in an effort to protect girls from immoral relationships.
The second amendment to the law was passed on 16 September. The report claims that when it was named Law 188 in 1959, it was considered one of the most progressive laws in West Asia.
Iraq’s coalition government said the proposed amendment is in line with a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law and is aimed at protecting young girls.
The government, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to pass the law despite opposition from Iraqi women’s groups.
According to UNICEF, high rates of child marriage are already prevalent in Iraq. About 28% of Iraqi girls are married before the age of 18 and the proposed amendments are expected to worsen the situation.
Dr Renad Mansour, senior research fellow at Chatham House, told The Telegraph the move was the latest attempt by Shia Islamists to consolidate power and gain legitimacy.
“It’s not all Shia parties, it’s just certain parties that are strong and really pushing it forward,” he said.
“Emphasizing the religious aspect is a way for them to regain ideological legitimacy, which has been waning over the years,” Mansoor said.
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