Iraq Proposes Lowering Age of Consent for Girls to Nine

Iraq's parliament, dominated by Shia conservative groups, is considering a controversial amendment to lower the legal age of consent to nine, allowing men to marry young girls. This proposed change to the personal status law has sparked protests and criticism from women's rights activists, who argue it would legalize child rape and strip women of rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Despite previous failed attempts to pass similar laws, the current Shia majority in parliament poses a significant challenge to opponents of the bill.