Iraqi authorities plan to lower the age of consent for girls from 18 to nine years old. This was reported by the British publication The Mirror on November 8.
“Ultraconservative Muslim parties have called for a new law that would halve the current age of consent from the current limit of 18.” – says the publication.
It is clarified that state authorities consider this law to be necessary because it can bring Iraq closer to “a more correct interpretation of Islamic law,” as well as protect young women from “immoral attitudes.”
Previously, on September 4, media reported that the Iraqi parliament was considering legal changes that would give religious authorities more powers in family law matters. Human rights groups warn that the measure could affect the legalization of marriage for girls aged nine and older. Many Iraqi women reacted with horror to these changes and organized protests in front of the Parliament building, Izvestia clarifies.
