Iraqi Parliament Considers Law Giving Clerics Control Over Marriage Age

Proposed amendments could allow religious authorities to sanction child marriages, sparking widespread protests from women's rights groups.

Current law sets the minimum marriage age at 18, with exceptions allowing girls as young as 15 to marry with parental consent.
The proposed changes would permit clerics to use their interpretation of Shariah law, potentially lowering the marriage age to as young as 9.
Women’s rights activists have organized protests and social media campaigns against the amendments.
Supporters of the amendments argue they defend against Western cultural influence and provide families with a choice between civil and religious law.
The debate has caused significant division among Iraqi religious leaders and lawmakers, delaying parliamentary votes.