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Iraq passes law that could in effect legalize child marriage
- On January 21, Iraq’s parliament passed a law that critics say could in effect legalize child marriage. The amendments made to the country’s personal status law give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Currently, the legal age to get married in Iraq is 18 (in most cases). However, the new amendments would allow clerics to decide this age based on their interpretation of Islamic law. Some interpretations, such as the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities, allow for girls as young as nine to marry. Advocates for the changes, who are primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, have defended them as a means to reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture and more closely align it with Islamic principles. Activists, however, argue that it will remove safeguards for women. Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and a member of the Iraqi Women’s League, said that it “will leave disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls … and will disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody, and inheritance for women.” On the same day, parliament also passed two more controversial bills, including a general law that could give a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. All three were to be voted on together, a process that was highly contested and left the session in chaos. A parliamentary official commented, “Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum.” Child marriage remains a global crisis, depriving millions of girls of education, health, and future opportunities. Despite progress in some areas, rates remain alarmingly high. Click on to learn more about the sad reality of child marriage around the world.
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Every 30 seconds
- A girl is married every 30 seconds in countries ranked as fragile, with high child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Millions of girls are at risk
- Around 32 million adolescent girls live in these "fragility-child marriage hotspots."
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
What are fragile states?
- Fragile states lack governmental control over services like law enforcement, healthcare, and education. These issues, worsened by crises like wars and disasters, drive child marriage rates higher.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Fragility-child marriage hotspots
- Save the Children's 2024 report reveals that eight out of 10 of the worst fragility-child marriage hotspots are in Africa. The Central African Republic, Chad, and South Sudan are the most affected.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Around the world
- Outside Africa, countries in South Asia, like Bangladesh and India, and parts of the Middle East, such as Yemen, also report high child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
The link between fragile states and child marriage
- Save the Children found that girls in fragile states are twice as likely to marry before 17 compared to more stable countries.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Pregnancies in girls
- In fragile countries, one in four girls gives birth before the age of 18. Many lack access to skilled healthcare, leading to increased risks of complications and maternal mortality.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Rising numbers of fragile countries
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported in 2022 that 60 countries were classified as fragile, up from 57 in 2020. This growing fragility affects 170 million girls, increasing child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Child marriage in conflict zones
- Countries facing conflict, instability, or climate disasters contribute to a higher prevalence of child marriage. In these fragile states, poverty and insecurity push families to marry off young girls for perceived safety.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Disrupted education
- Girls who marry early often drop out of school, losing access to education and economic opportunities. This deepens cycles of poverty and limits their ability to make informed decisions.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Health risks
- Young brides face increased risks of pregnancy-related complications, including higher maternal and infant mortality rates, due to their age and lack of healthcare access.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
Vulnerability to violence
- Child marriage heightens the risk of physical violence and exploitation. Married girls in fragile countries often lack autonomy over their bodies and lives, facing significant challenges and enduring lifelong trauma.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
The role of climate disasters
- Climate-related crises worsen fragility, pushing families into poverty and leading to higher rates of child marriage as families seek financial security through dowries.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Regional disparities in laws
- While Colombia banned child marriage in 2024, many regions lack enforceable laws, leaving millions of girls in fragile states vulnerable to this harmful practice.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
The global burden of child marriage
- Child marriage remains a global issue, and efforts to reduce it face significant challenges in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Impact on future generations
- Child marriage perpetuates poverty across generations. Girls who marry young are less likely to educate their own children, continuing cycles of inequality and limited opportunities.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Legal loopholes and inaction
- Many countries still allow exceptions to child marriage laws, undermining global progress and leaving millions of girls unprotected.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
Key strategies to ending child marriage
- What are the most effective strategies to end child marriage? Click on to uncover the key solutions that governments and individuals can adopt to eliminate this practice.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Enforce legal reforms
- Raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 and ensure strict enforcement of laws banning child marriage, with no loopholes or exceptions.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Improve access to education
- Provide free, quality education for girls, as staying in school is one of the most effective ways to delay marriage and empower young women.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Promote economic opportunities for families
- Address poverty, a major driver of child marriage, by offering economic incentives, cash transfers, and income-generating programs for families in vulnerable communities.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Empower girls through awareness
- Educate girls about their rights, reproductive health, and the long-term impacts of child marriage, giving them tools to advocate for themselves and their futures.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Engage communities in dialogue
- Work with local leaders, religious figures, and community members to challenge traditional norms and practices that perpetuate child marriage.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Enhance health and social services - Expand access to healthcare, family planning, and counseling services to support girls and families in preventing early marriages and managing crises.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Strengthen support during crises
- In fragile and conflict-affected regions, prioritize interventions like safe spaces, education programs, and protective measures to shield girls from forced marriages.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Provide alternative pathways for girls
- Offer vocational training, scholarships, and mentorship programs to give girls alternatives to early marriage and help them envision brighter futures.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Raise global awareness and advocacy
- Promote international campaigns to highlight the issue, mobilize funding, and encourage governments to take actionable steps against child marriage.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Monitor and evaluate progress
- Establish systems to track child marriage rates and program effectiveness, ensuring that interventions are impactful. Sources: (Save The Children) (The Guardian) See also: Shocking facts about gender inequality
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
Iraq passes law that could in effect legalize child marriage
- On January 21, Iraq’s parliament passed a law that critics say could in effect legalize child marriage. The amendments made to the country’s personal status law give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Currently, the legal age to get married in Iraq is 18 (in most cases). However, the new amendments would allow clerics to decide this age based on their interpretation of Islamic law. Some interpretations, such as the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities, allow for girls as young as nine to marry. Advocates for the changes, who are primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, have defended them as a means to reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture and more closely align it with Islamic principles. Activists, however, argue that it will remove safeguards for women. Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and a member of the Iraqi Women’s League, said that it “will leave disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls … and will disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody, and inheritance for women.” On the same day, parliament also passed two more controversial bills, including a general law that could give a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. All three were to be voted on together, a process that was highly contested and left the session in chaos. A parliamentary official commented, “Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum.” Child marriage remains a global crisis, depriving millions of girls of education, health, and future opportunities. Despite progress in some areas, rates remain alarmingly high. Click on to learn more about the sad reality of child marriage around the world.
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Every 30 seconds
- A girl is married every 30 seconds in countries ranked as fragile, with high child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Millions of girls are at risk
- Around 32 million adolescent girls live in these "fragility-child marriage hotspots."
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
What are fragile states?
- Fragile states lack governmental control over services like law enforcement, healthcare, and education. These issues, worsened by crises like wars and disasters, drive child marriage rates higher.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Fragility-child marriage hotspots
- Save the Children's 2024 report reveals that eight out of 10 of the worst fragility-child marriage hotspots are in Africa. The Central African Republic, Chad, and South Sudan are the most affected.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Around the world
- Outside Africa, countries in South Asia, like Bangladesh and India, and parts of the Middle East, such as Yemen, also report high child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
The link between fragile states and child marriage
- Save the Children found that girls in fragile states are twice as likely to marry before 17 compared to more stable countries.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Pregnancies in girls
- In fragile countries, one in four girls gives birth before the age of 18. Many lack access to skilled healthcare, leading to increased risks of complications and maternal mortality.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Rising numbers of fragile countries
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported in 2022 that 60 countries were classified as fragile, up from 57 in 2020. This growing fragility affects 170 million girls, increasing child marriage rates.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Child marriage in conflict zones
- Countries facing conflict, instability, or climate disasters contribute to a higher prevalence of child marriage. In these fragile states, poverty and insecurity push families to marry off young girls for perceived safety.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Disrupted education
- Girls who marry early often drop out of school, losing access to education and economic opportunities. This deepens cycles of poverty and limits their ability to make informed decisions.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Health risks
- Young brides face increased risks of pregnancy-related complications, including higher maternal and infant mortality rates, due to their age and lack of healthcare access.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
Vulnerability to violence
- Child marriage heightens the risk of physical violence and exploitation. Married girls in fragile countries often lack autonomy over their bodies and lives, facing significant challenges and enduring lifelong trauma.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
The role of climate disasters
- Climate-related crises worsen fragility, pushing families into poverty and leading to higher rates of child marriage as families seek financial security through dowries.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Regional disparities in laws
- While Colombia banned child marriage in 2024, many regions lack enforceable laws, leaving millions of girls in fragile states vulnerable to this harmful practice.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
The global burden of child marriage
- Child marriage remains a global issue, and efforts to reduce it face significant challenges in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Impact on future generations
- Child marriage perpetuates poverty across generations. Girls who marry young are less likely to educate their own children, continuing cycles of inequality and limited opportunities.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Legal loopholes and inaction
- Many countries still allow exceptions to child marriage laws, undermining global progress and leaving millions of girls unprotected.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
Key strategies to ending child marriage
- What are the most effective strategies to end child marriage? Click on to uncover the key solutions that governments and individuals can adopt to eliminate this practice.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Enforce legal reforms
- Raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 and ensure strict enforcement of laws banning child marriage, with no loopholes or exceptions.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Improve access to education
- Provide free, quality education for girls, as staying in school is one of the most effective ways to delay marriage and empower young women.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Promote economic opportunities for families
- Address poverty, a major driver of child marriage, by offering economic incentives, cash transfers, and income-generating programs for families in vulnerable communities.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Empower girls through awareness
- Educate girls about their rights, reproductive health, and the long-term impacts of child marriage, giving them tools to advocate for themselves and their futures.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Engage communities in dialogue
- Work with local leaders, religious figures, and community members to challenge traditional norms and practices that perpetuate child marriage.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Enhance health and social services - Expand access to healthcare, family planning, and counseling services to support girls and families in preventing early marriages and managing crises.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Strengthen support during crises
- In fragile and conflict-affected regions, prioritize interventions like safe spaces, education programs, and protective measures to shield girls from forced marriages.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Provide alternative pathways for girls
- Offer vocational training, scholarships, and mentorship programs to give girls alternatives to early marriage and help them envision brighter futures.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Raise global awareness and advocacy
- Promote international campaigns to highlight the issue, mobilize funding, and encourage governments to take actionable steps against child marriage.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Monitor and evaluate progress
- Establish systems to track child marriage rates and program effectiveness, ensuring that interventions are impactful. Sources: (Save The Children) (The Guardian) See also: Shocking facts about gender inequality
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
Iraq passes law that could in effect legalize child marriage
Girls as young as nine could be allowed to marry
© Getty Images
On January 21, Iraq’s parliament passed a law that critics say could in effect legalize child marriage. The amendments made to the country’s personal status law give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Currently, the legal age to get married in Iraq is 18 (in most cases). However, the new amendments would allow clerics to decide this age based on their interpretation of Islamic law.
Some interpretations, such as the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities, allow for girls as young as nine to marry. Advocates for the changes, who are primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, have defended them as a means to reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture and more closely align it with Islamic principles.
Activists, however, argue that it will remove safeguards for women. Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and a member of the Iraqi Women’s League, said that it “will leave disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls … and will disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody, and inheritance for women.”
On the same day, parliament also passed two more controversial bills, including a general law that could give a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. All three were to be voted on together, a process that was highly contested and left the session in chaos. A parliamentary official commented, “Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum.”
Child marriage remains a global crisis, depriving millions of girls of education, health, and future opportunities. Despite progress in some areas, rates remain alarmingly high. Click on to learn more about the sad reality of child marriage around the world.
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