Iraq’s Proposal to Allow Marriage for Girls at Age 9: Survivor Warns of Increased Rape and Child Abuse
In a harrowing tale of forced marriage and abuse, Batta, a survivor from Iraq, shares her traumatic experience as a child bride sold into wedlock at the tender age of 11. Her story sheds light on the potential consequences of proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law that could allow girls as young as 9 to be married off, putting them at risk of exploitation and harm.
Batta’s Heartbreaking Journey
Batta’s ordeal began when her parents, unable to afford her education, decided to marry her off. Despite her mother’s pleas, her father went ahead with the marriage to a man 36 years her senior. Sold like a commodity, Batta faced unimaginable horrors, enduring rape, abuse, and isolation. Her family, instead of offering comfort, treated her as a pariah, compounding her suffering.
At just 14, Batta was handed a divorce paper by her husband, casting her out of her family home where she was relegated to servitude. Escaping the oppressive environment, she found herself in Erbil, working as a sex worker to survive. Her tragic story reflects the grim reality faced by many young girls in Iraq who are victims of child marriage.
The Threat of Child Marriage in Iraq
UNICEF reported that 28% of girls in Iraq are married before the legal age of 18, highlighting the prevalence of child marriage in the country. The proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law, which would give religious authorities the power to decide on family matters, including marriage, raise concerns about the exploitation and abuse of young girls.
Experts warn that shifting decision-making power to clerics could pave the way for legalizing and expanding child marriage, endangering the well-being of vulnerable children. The amendments, if passed, would undermine the rights of women and children enshrined in the current law, threatening to perpetuate cycles of abuse and exploitation.
Pushback Against the Proposed Amendments
Lawmakers advocating for the amendments claim they aim to uphold family values and reduce divorce rates. However, critics argue that the changes pose a significant threat to children’s rights and could harm Iraq’s reputation internationally. Calls to reject the amendments have sparked public outrage and protests, with lawmakers like Alya Nassif and Kurdo Omar leading efforts to block the legislation.
As the debate over the proposed amendments unfolds, survivors like Batta continue to share their stories, hoping to prevent other young girls from enduring the same traumatic experiences. Their voices serve as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse in Iraq.
