trying to bring down the marriageable age for women to 9 years old 'this country'"What's the problem?"
Nov 11, 2024
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According to foreign media such as the New York Post, Shiite conservative groups that control Iraq's parliament are considering submitting amendments to the 「Family Law」.
When the news broke, critics pointed out that the bill would deprive women of all will to choose.
Raya Pike, who leads an Iraqi women's rights group, complained that `the law of putting almost all family decisions in the hands of religious authorities' is a disaster for women and an evil law that legalizes child rape.'
In the past, the Shiite Conservative Union attempted to revise the law twice, but all were canceled in the face of opposition from Iraqi women.
But women's groups are fighting an uphill battle now that religious groups now have an overwhelming majority in parliament.
Some male MPs who support the law say "What's wrong with marrying a minor?"It is said to be rather questionable.
Also, if the bill is passed, women's rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance will be deprived.
The Shia Conservative Union has argued that the purpose of the law is to protect girls from `unscrupulous relationships.'
But opponents of the legislation and human rights groups accused it of attempting to suppress women's rights after protests led by young women against conservative governments in recent years.
Human rights groups pointed out that the new legislation would effectively put young girls at risk of sexual violence and physical violence, and that it would be common for them to be kicked out of school and uneducated.
Meanwhile, about 28 percent of Iraqi girls reportedly get married before the age of 18, according to a 2023 report by the United Nations.
bellho@sportschosun.com
