On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved three contentious laws, sparking debate and criticism from various groups. One of the laws includes amendments to the personal status law, which opponents argue could potentially legalize child marriage. These amendments grant Islamic courts more authority over family matters, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, raising concerns about the rights of women.
The changes were supported by conservative Shiite lawmakers who believe they align the law with Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture. Currently, Iraqi law sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 in most cases. However, the amendments would allow clerics to interpret Islamic law, potentially permitting the marriage of girls as young as their early teens.
