Iraq passes amendments that could legalize child marriage

Girls with their husbands. Photo: Snopes.com

On January 21, 2025, the Iraqi parliament approved three controversial laws, including amendments to the Personal Status Law that critics say effectively legalize child marriage, CNN reports.

The amendments expand the authority of Islamic courts over family matters, including marriage, divorce and inheritance.

Under existing Iraqi law, the minimum legal age for marriage is 18, with rare exceptions.

The new amendments, however, allow religious leaders to make rulings based on their interpretation of Islamic law, including the Ja’fari school, which permits girls to marry from the age of nine.

Supporters of the changes, primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, argue that the amendments will bring Iraqi legislation into line with Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on the country’s culture.

Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and member of the Iraqi Women’s League, said: “The adoption of the amendments to the Personal Status Law will have a catastrophic impact on the rights of women and girls by legalizing early marriage, violating their right to childhood and dismantling safeguards in matters of divorce, child custody and inheritance.”

The parliamentary session ended in chaos amid accusations of procedural violations. According to one official, around half of the lawmakers present did not vote, raising questions over whether a quorum had been met. Some MPs protested loudly, while others climbed onto the speaker’s podium.

Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani welcomed the passage of the laws, calling it “an important step toward strengthening justice and regulating the everyday lives of citizens.”

As the UOJ previously reported, Iraqi lawmakers had proposed lowering the marriage age for girls to nine.

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