Latest items for Iraq
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"The men of my [narrator, anonymous Iraqi woman]tribe [extended family] threw my relative Kawthar Bashar al-Husayjawi, 15, into a pit and put a little dirt over her body. They had killed her hours earlier with 10 bullets, and split her small head with an axe. My family then joined others in coming on to the streets to dance and celebrate her death" (para 1). "On social media, I [anonymous Iraqi female narrator] saw her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] childlike face, the last time she wore her school uniform. An old picture that doesn’t show all her beautiful features. Videos soon spread of members of...more
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"The men of my [narrator, anonymous Iraqi woman]tribe [extended family] threw my relative Kawthar Bashar al-Husayjawi, 15, into a pit and put a little dirt over her body. They had killed her hours earlier with 10 bullets, and split her small head with an axe. My family then joined others in coming on to the streets to dance and celebrate her death" (para 1). "On social media, I [anonymous Iraqi female narrator] saw her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] childlike face, the last time she wore her school uniform. An old picture that doesn’t show all her beautiful features. Videos soon spread of members of...more
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: AFE-PRACTICE-1
"Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] lived in al-Nahrawan, a district in the south-east of Baghdad. She had been taken out of school and at age 13 forced to marry an alcoholic years older than her" (para 2). "In early May, as the day of the wedding and what she [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] believed would be a new phase of rape and violence grew closer, Kawthar left the family home. She had been denied the chance to go to school or learn how to earn money, so she left with nothing except her clothes and a head covering" (para...more
Variables: AFE-PRACTICE-1
"Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] lived in al-Nahrawan, a district in the south-east of Baghdad. She had been taken out of school and at age 13 forced to marry an alcoholic years older than her" (para 2). "In early May, as the day of the wedding and what she [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] believed would be a new phase of rape and violence grew closer, Kawthar left the family home. She had been denied the chance to go to school or learn how to earn money, so she left with nothing except her clothes and a head covering" (para...more
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: AOM-LAW-1, RISW-PRACTICE-2
"Iraq’s new laws permitting children as young as nine years old to marry is terrifying to me [anonymous Iraqi female narrator], because a child pulled out of school and pushed into early marriage becomes more vulnerable and less able to protect herself or object to the violence she is subjected to. Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honour killing] had not yet reached an age that allowed her to understand life, yet everyone was treating her as a woman who must be subdued, monitored and punished" (para 14).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1, RISW-PRACTICE-2
"Iraq’s new laws permitting children as young as nine years old to marry is terrifying to me [anonymous Iraqi female narrator], because a child pulled out of school and pushed into early marriage becomes more vulnerable and less able to protect herself or object to the violence she is subjected to. Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honour killing] had not yet reached an age that allowed her to understand life, yet everyone was treating her as a woman who must be subdued, monitored and punished" (para 14).
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-2, DV-PRACTICE-2, DV-DATA-1
"She [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] was subjected to a year of violence and mistreatment before fleeing back to her family, who initially subjected her to house arrest and constant pressure to return to her husband and abuser. She threatened to end her life and, eventually, was officially divorced in court late in 2025" (para 3).
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-2, DV-PRACTICE-2, DV-DATA-1
"She [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] was subjected to a year of violence and mistreatment before fleeing back to her family, who initially subjected her to house arrest and constant pressure to return to her husband and abuser. She threatened to end her life and, eventually, was officially divorced in court late in 2025" (para 3).
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DTCP-LAW-1
"Although Iraqi law does not directly mention the phrase 'honour' killing, there are mitigating excuses in law that address the crime of killing motivated by honour. Someone killing his wife or close female relative after finding her in an act of adultery shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. In many cases, the crime is not viewed as a deliberate, fully constituted murder, but rather as a family incident that got out of control" (para 13).
Variables: DTCP-LAW-1
"Although Iraqi law does not directly mention the phrase 'honour' killing, there are mitigating excuses in law that address the crime of killing motivated by honour. Someone killing his wife or close female relative after finding her in an act of adultery shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. In many cases, the crime is not viewed as a deliberate, fully constituted murder, but rather as a family incident that got out of control" (para 13).
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"I [anonymous female Iraqi narrator] tried to remain calm and thought that at least the police would punish them [the men in Kawthar's family who killed her for honor. Kawthar was a 15-year-old Iraqi girl] for their deed. Instead, an officer allegedly asked for a bribe to say she had been kidnapped and not killed. The men moved Kawthar’s body more than once out of fear. A body with 10 bullets in it, and without a shroud or ritual washing, passed between holes. If the living have no humanity, where is the sanctity of the dead?" (para 10). "What terrifies me [anonymous female Iraqi narrator] most is how easy murder...more
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"I [anonymous female Iraqi narrator] tried to remain calm and thought that at least the police would punish them [the men in Kawthar's family who killed her for honor. Kawthar was a 15-year-old Iraqi girl] for their deed. Instead, an officer allegedly asked for a bribe to say she had been kidnapped and not killed. The men moved Kawthar’s body more than once out of fear. A body with 10 bullets in it, and without a shroud or ritual washing, passed between holes. If the living have no humanity, where is the sanctity of the dead?" (para 10). "What terrifies me [anonymous female Iraqi narrator] most is how easy murder...more
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] lived in al-Nahrawan, a district in the south-east of Baghdad. She had been taken out of school and at age 13 forced to marry an alcoholic years older than her" (para 2). "Soon after, her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] cousin was released from prison and asked Kawthar’s parents for her hand in marriage. Kawthar refused as everyone knew the groom was involved in dealing in drugs and alcohol. Her family ignored her and gave their approval as, according to their custom, 'a man’s word is not broken by a girl.' Her mother and female...more
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"Kawthar [15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] lived in al-Nahrawan, a district in the south-east of Baghdad. She had been taken out of school and at age 13 forced to marry an alcoholic years older than her" (para 2). "Soon after, her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] cousin was released from prison and asked Kawthar’s parents for her hand in marriage. Kawthar refused as everyone knew the groom was involved in dealing in drugs and alcohol. Her family ignored her and gave their approval as, according to their custom, 'a man’s word is not broken by a girl.' Her mother and female...more
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-8
"Soon after, her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] cousin was released from prison and asked Kawthar’s parents for her hand in marriage. Kawthar refused as everyone knew the groom was involved in dealing in drugs and alcohol. Her family ignored her and gave their approval as, according to their custom, 'a man’s word is not broken by a girl.' Her mother and female relatives at home could not join her in saying no" (para 4).
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-8
"Soon after, her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] cousin was released from prison and asked Kawthar’s parents for her hand in marriage. Kawthar refused as everyone knew the groom was involved in dealing in drugs and alcohol. Her family ignored her and gave their approval as, according to their custom, 'a man’s word is not broken by a girl.' Her mother and female relatives at home could not join her in saying no" (para 4).
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-DATA-1
"The men of my [narrator, anonymous Iraqi woman]tribe [extended family] threw my relative Kawthar Bashar al-Husayjawi, 15, into a pit and put a little dirt over her body. They had killed her hours earlier with 10 bullets, and split her small head with an axe. My family then joined others in coming on to the streets to dance and celebrate her death" (para 1). "On social media, I [anonymous Iraqi female narrator] saw her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] childlike face, the last time she wore her school uniform. An old picture that doesn’t show all her beautiful features. Videos soon spread of members of...more
Variables: MURDER-DATA-1
"The men of my [narrator, anonymous Iraqi woman]tribe [extended family] threw my relative Kawthar Bashar al-Husayjawi, 15, into a pit and put a little dirt over her body. They had killed her hours earlier with 10 bullets, and split her small head with an axe. My family then joined others in coming on to the streets to dance and celebrate her death" (para 1). "On social media, I [anonymous Iraqi female narrator] saw her [Kawthar, 15-year-old Iraqi girl and a victim of honor killing] childlike face, the last time she wore her school uniform. An old picture that doesn’t show all her beautiful features. Videos soon spread of members of...more
June 16, 2026, 5:43 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-LAW-1
"Although Iraqi law does not directly mention the phrase 'honour' killing, there are mitigating excuses in law that address the crime of killing motivated by honour. Someone killing his wife or close female relative after finding her in an act of adultery shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. In many cases, the crime is not viewed as a deliberate, fully constituted murder, but rather as a family incident that got out of control" (para 13). This information shows the opposite end of what this variable asks: whether or not there are laws that provide for special penalties in cases where women have been attacked...more
Variables: MURDER-LAW-1
"Although Iraqi law does not directly mention the phrase 'honour' killing, there are mitigating excuses in law that address the crime of killing motivated by honour. Someone killing his wife or close female relative after finding her in an act of adultery shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. In many cases, the crime is not viewed as a deliberate, fully constituted murder, but rather as a family incident that got out of control" (para 13). This information shows the opposite end of what this variable asks: whether or not there are laws that provide for special penalties in cases where women have been attacked...more
June 10, 2026, 10:45 p.m.
Countries: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
“In some countries and territories, marriage may be considered a legal 'cure' for rape by allowing perpetrators to marry their victims and thereby avoid any penalties for their crime. Laws allow men convicted of rape to have the verdict overturned if they marry the women they have assaulted in Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gaza, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga and Venezuela (Equality Now, 2020)” (48-49).
Variables: LRW-LAW-4
“In some countries and territories, marriage may be considered a legal 'cure' for rape by allowing perpetrators to marry their victims and thereby avoid any penalties for their crime. Laws allow men convicted of rape to have the verdict overturned if they marry the women they have assaulted in Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bolivia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gaza, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga and Venezuela (Equality Now, 2020)” (48-49).
April 30, 2026, 11:53 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-DATA-4
According to calculations based off of data collected from the WHO mortality database, the femicide rate for 15-44 year olds in 2021 was 7.1 per 100,000 female (15-44 age) population.
Variables: MURDER-DATA-4
According to calculations based off of data collected from the WHO mortality database, the femicide rate for 15-44 year olds in 2021 was 7.1 per 100,000 female (15-44 age) population.
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-DATA-1
"Women have been raped and kidnapped, while domestic violence is a way of life for many. Among them are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 10-11). "Shameful too is the plight of those women who still have their husbands but live in fear. There is no shortage of them, among them a friend of mine [the female Iraqi narrator] who has been married for two decades and has been...more
Variables: DV-DATA-1
"Women have been raped and kidnapped, while domestic violence is a way of life for many. Among them are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 10-11). "Shameful too is the plight of those women who still have their husbands but live in fear. There is no shortage of them, among them a friend of mine [the female Iraqi narrator] who has been married for two decades and has been...more
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-2
" Among them [Iraqi women who are victims of domestic violence] are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 11). "Shameful too is the plight of those women who still have their husbands but live in fear. There is no shortage of them, among them a friend of mine [the female Iraqi narrator] who has been married for two decades and has been regularly abused by her husband throughout. She...more
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-2
" Among them [Iraqi women who are victims of domestic violence] are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 11). "Shameful too is the plight of those women who still have their husbands but live in fear. There is no shortage of them, among them a friend of mine [the female Iraqi narrator] who has been married for two decades and has been regularly abused by her husband throughout. She...more
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Yet many brave Iraqi women have become activists, advocating for their rights and the rights of others and forming organizations to support victims of violence, promote education, and provide economic opportunities" (para 45).
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"Yet many brave Iraqi women have become activists, advocating for their rights and the rights of others and forming organizations to support victims of violence, promote education, and provide economic opportunities" (para 45).
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"Far worse, it is believed hundreds of Iraqi women each year are still being murdered on grounds of ‘honour’ for bringing shame on their families after refusing to enter a marriage, for taking lovers the family disapproves of, or to cover up cases of incest. In many cases, the manner of their death is concealed by a verdict of ‘suicide’ from authorities all too eager to turn a blind eye to the depraved reality. Countless others are buried in secret graves" (para 12-13). "Her [Iraqi girl who ran away with another man and from a forced marriage her fam ily had planned for her] three brothers were lying in wait...more
Variables: MURDER-PRACTICE-1
"Far worse, it is believed hundreds of Iraqi women each year are still being murdered on grounds of ‘honour’ for bringing shame on their families after refusing to enter a marriage, for taking lovers the family disapproves of, or to cover up cases of incest. In many cases, the manner of their death is concealed by a verdict of ‘suicide’ from authorities all too eager to turn a blind eye to the depraved reality. Countless others are buried in secret graves" (para 12-13). "Her [Iraqi girl who ran away with another man and from a forced marriage her fam ily had planned for her] three brothers were lying in wait...more
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MURDER-DATA-2
"Outside Batha, in the Dhi Qar province, in the south of the country, one graveyard, containing hundreds of unmarked graves holding the bodies of women who are the victims of honour killings is known as the ‘hills of sin’. It is just one of many around the country" (para 14). This information, by mantioning 'hundreds of graves' shows the a widspread pattern on honor killing in Iraq (MR-CODER COMMENT).
Variables: MURDER-DATA-2
"Outside Batha, in the Dhi Qar province, in the south of the country, one graveyard, containing hundreds of unmarked graves holding the bodies of women who are the victims of honour killings is known as the ‘hills of sin’. It is just one of many around the country" (para 14). This information, by mantioning 'hundreds of graves' shows the a widspread pattern on honor killing in Iraq (MR-CODER COMMENT).
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
"Women have been raped and kidnapped, while domestic violence is a way of life for many. Among them are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 10-11).
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1
"Women have been raped and kidnapped, while domestic violence is a way of life for many. Among them are some of my [Iraqi female narrator] friends, their beatings meted out by husbands who know the wounds caused will not be seen under traditional dress – and that even if reported, will be dismissed, given that very few, if any, cases result in convictions or punishment" (para 10-11).
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"I [female Iraqi narrator] consider myself lucky. A family friend who lives in the marshland of the south cries when she recalls how her elder sister was married aged just 15, ‘given’ to a man nine years older, forced to abandon her education, she was pregnant by 16, and a mother of three aged 21" (para 34).
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"I [female Iraqi narrator] consider myself lucky. A family friend who lives in the marshland of the south cries when she recalls how her elder sister was married aged just 15, ‘given’ to a man nine years older, forced to abandon her education, she was pregnant by 16, and a mother of three aged 21" (para 34).
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"In many cases [of Iraqi women being murdered by their husbands/family members in the name of honor], the manner of their [Iraqi women] death is concealed by a verdict of ‘suicide’ from authorities all too eager to turn a blind eye to the depraved reality. Countless others are buried in secret graves" (para 13). This infomation shows that, in terms of dealing with murder cases labled with reasons of honor, Iraqi punishment system shows clear gendered failure in enforcement, therefore differential treatment by officials (MR-CODER COMMENT). "It is one reason my [the female Iraqi narrator] friend does not leave. She fears not only losing her children, but poverty, the stigma...more
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1
"In many cases [of Iraqi women being murdered by their husbands/family members in the name of honor], the manner of their [Iraqi women] death is concealed by a verdict of ‘suicide’ from authorities all too eager to turn a blind eye to the depraved reality. Countless others are buried in secret graves" (para 13). This infomation shows that, in terms of dealing with murder cases labled with reasons of honor, Iraqi punishment system shows clear gendered failure in enforcement, therefore differential treatment by officials (MR-CODER COMMENT). "It is one reason my [the female Iraqi narrator] friend does not leave. She fears not only losing her children, but poverty, the stigma...more
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-LAW-1, DTCP-LAW-1
"This terrible change [of reduced legal age of marriage for Iraqi girls due to the more authority given to Islaic courts] took place last year, when Iraq’s parliament increased the authority of Islamic courts over all family matters, including marriage – the minimum age for which was previously set at 18 – divorce and inheritance. Under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many religious authorities in my [Iraqi female narrator] country, this could mean nine-year-old girls being given away to men decades older" (para 6-7).
Variables: MARR-LAW-1, DTCP-LAW-1
"This terrible change [of reduced legal age of marriage for Iraqi girls due to the more authority given to Islaic courts] took place last year, when Iraq’s parliament increased the authority of Islamic courts over all family matters, including marriage – the minimum age for which was previously set at 18 – divorce and inheritance. Under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many religious authorities in my [Iraqi female narrator] country, this could mean nine-year-old girls being given away to men decades older" (para 6-7).
April 24, 2026, 6:02 a.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1
"This terrible change [of reduced legal age of marriage for Iraqi girls due to the more authority given to Islaic courts] took place last year, when Iraq’s parliament increased the authority of Islamic courts over all family matters, including marriage – the minimum age for which was previously set at 18 – divorce and inheritance. Under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many religious authorities in my [Iraqi female narrator] country, this could mean nine-year-old girls being given away to men decades older" (para 6-7). "I [female Iraqi narrator] consider myself lucky. A family friend who lives in the marshland of the south cries when she recalls how...more
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1
"This terrible change [of reduced legal age of marriage for Iraqi girls due to the more authority given to Islaic courts] took place last year, when Iraq’s parliament increased the authority of Islamic courts over all family matters, including marriage – the minimum age for which was previously set at 18 – divorce and inheritance. Under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many religious authorities in my [Iraqi female narrator] country, this could mean nine-year-old girls being given away to men decades older" (para 6-7). "I [female Iraqi narrator] consider myself lucky. A family friend who lives in the marshland of the south cries when she recalls how...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-3
The following information shows the Iraqi government's backlash on the activists talking about the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT)."She [Ghezi, founding member of Coalition 188] is concerned about the crackdown on protests against the law. 'Women who have been fighting the law change have been targeted by the state — only a handful of mothers show up to protest now. The numbers get smaller and smaller and the...more
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-3
The following information shows the Iraqi government's backlash on the activists talking about the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT)."She [Ghezi, founding member of Coalition 188] is concerned about the crackdown on protests against the law. 'Women who have been fighting the law change have been targeted by the state — only a handful of mothers show up to protest now. The numbers get smaller and smaller and the...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows how the prevalence of child marriage due to Jafari Law, which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage. Such a law can definitely contribute significantly to the normalcy and commonality of the concept of rape in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT). "Dozens of baby-faced schoolgirls drift through worn, neon-lit shops on “bridal boulevard” in Baghdad’s Sadr City wearing black abayas soon to be traded for puffball wedding gowns picked by their mothers. Among them is 12-year-old Amani, who is due to meet her 17-year-old fiancé for...more
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows how the prevalence of child marriage due to Jafari Law, which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage. Such a law can definitely contribute significantly to the normalcy and commonality of the concept of rape in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT). "Dozens of baby-faced schoolgirls drift through worn, neon-lit shops on “bridal boulevard” in Baghdad’s Sadr City wearing black abayas soon to be traded for puffball wedding gowns picked by their mothers. Among them is 12-year-old Amani, who is due to meet her 17-year-old fiancé for...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-LAW-1
"In January, Iraq passed an amendment to its personal status law, which allows citizens to choose sect-specific religious courts to oversee their marriage affairs. This came after years of lobbying from Shia political parties to opt out of Iraq’s civil law, which has legally protected against underage marriage since the 1950s" (para 3). This information shows that legal changes permit marriages to be governed outside civil law, reducing safeguards related to consent and minimum age (MR-CODER COMMENT). "The state has now introduced Ja’fari law, an 8th-century religious jurisprudence specifically for Shias, who are the religious majority in southern Iraq. A judge can permit child marriage based on perceived 'maturity and...more
Variables: MARR-LAW-1
"In January, Iraq passed an amendment to its personal status law, which allows citizens to choose sect-specific religious courts to oversee their marriage affairs. This came after years of lobbying from Shia political parties to opt out of Iraq’s civil law, which has legally protected against underage marriage since the 1950s" (para 3). This information shows that legal changes permit marriages to be governed outside civil law, reducing safeguards related to consent and minimum age (MR-CODER COMMENT). "The state has now introduced Ja’fari law, an 8th-century religious jurisprudence specifically for Shias, who are the religious majority in southern Iraq. A judge can permit child marriage based on perceived 'maturity and...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"Dozens of baby-faced schoolgirls drift through worn, neon-lit shops on “bridal boulevard” in Baghdad’s Sadr City wearing black abayas soon to be traded for puffball wedding gowns picked by their mothers. Among them is 12-year-old Amani, who is due to meet her 17-year-old fiancé for the first time on their wedding night — a betrothal arranged, according to relatives, “without the need for her permission” because, despite her tiny, shaking frame engulfed in an adult-sized tulle gown, she has reached puberty and her marriage was approved by a local cleric" (para 1-2). "One of Amani’s relatives told The Sunday Times that the girl’s four younger cousins had been married to...more
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1
"Dozens of baby-faced schoolgirls drift through worn, neon-lit shops on “bridal boulevard” in Baghdad’s Sadr City wearing black abayas soon to be traded for puffball wedding gowns picked by their mothers. Among them is 12-year-old Amani, who is due to meet her 17-year-old fiancé for the first time on their wedding night — a betrothal arranged, according to relatives, “without the need for her permission” because, despite her tiny, shaking frame engulfed in an adult-sized tulle gown, she has reached puberty and her marriage was approved by a local cleric" (para 1-2). "One of Amani’s relatives told The Sunday Times that the girl’s four younger cousins had been married to...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"But a group of Iraq’s most prominent female lawyers, journalists and activists, known as Coalition 188, has spent the past year attempting to combat and reverse the law [on the age of marriage], as well as other loopholes created by the amendment, including some women losing rights to alimony and custody" (para 9). "Ghezi [founding member of Coalition 188], who oversees shelters for runaway girls of forced marriage under The Organisation of Women’s Freedom Iraq (OWFI) in Baghdad, said: 'We have seen a growing black market in Iraq where fathers are selling their daughters, pulling them out of education, mostly because of poverty … but they have been encouraged by...more
Variables: NGOFW-DATA-1
"But a group of Iraq’s most prominent female lawyers, journalists and activists, known as Coalition 188, has spent the past year attempting to combat and reverse the law [on the age of marriage], as well as other loopholes created by the amendment, including some women losing rights to alimony and custody" (para 9). "Ghezi [founding member of Coalition 188], who oversees shelters for runaway girls of forced marriage under The Organisation of Women’s Freedom Iraq (OWFI) in Baghdad, said: 'We have seen a growing black market in Iraq where fathers are selling their daughters, pulling them out of education, mostly because of poverty … but they have been encouraged by...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows the Iraqi officials and activists talks and comments on the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT). "Human rights activists in Iraq believe the amendment [Iraq’s Personal Status Law that allows marriage matters to be handled by sect-specific religious courts instead of being governed solely by civil law] has opened up a black market where 'parents can exchange daughters for money or status' without repercussions and...more
Variables: SEGI-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows the Iraqi officials and activists talks and comments on the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT). "Human rights activists in Iraq believe the amendment [Iraq’s Personal Status Law that allows marriage matters to be handled by sect-specific religious courts instead of being governed solely by civil law] has opened up a black market where 'parents can exchange daughters for money or status' without repercussions and...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"Vocal opponents of the amendment, including Qamar al-Samarrai and Zainab Jawad, two of the most prominent members of Coalition 188, claim to have been disqualified from running in the recent elections. Both say they have fled to the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq for safety. Jawad, who gained hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter for her staunch opposition to repeated attempts to amend the law in recent years, claims to have been exiled by security forces in June. Speaking from her flat in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, she said she had been abducted and detained without a warrant by Iraqi security forces at...more
Variables: LBHO-PRACTICE-3
"Vocal opponents of the amendment, including Qamar al-Samarrai and Zainab Jawad, two of the most prominent members of Coalition 188, claim to have been disqualified from running in the recent elections. Both say they have fled to the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq for safety. Jawad, who gained hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter for her staunch opposition to repeated attempts to amend the law in recent years, claims to have been exiled by security forces in June. Speaking from her flat in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, she said she had been abducted and detained without a warrant by Iraqi security forces at...more
March 9, 2026, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: WAM-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows the prevalence of social media videos/content involvong child brides in makeup, which is due to the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT)."On TikTok, content featuring underage brides in Iraq has gone viral. Make-up artists such as Baraa Macer, who has 264,000 followers on the platform, regularly share videos of underaged bridal clients. In captions on her videos, Macer claims some are younger than ten years...more
Variables: WAM-PRACTICE-1
The following information shows the prevalence of social media videos/content involvong child brides in makeup, which is due to the Ja'fari Law, the personal status law in Iraq which permits marriage of underage girls and grants husbands unilateral authority to divorce, practice polygyny, and claim child custody, thereby limiting child brides’ legal rights and protections within marriage, making it a gender issue in the country (MR-CODER COMMENT)."On TikTok, content featuring underage brides in Iraq has gone viral. Make-up artists such as Baraa Macer, who has 264,000 followers on the platform, regularly share videos of underaged bridal clients. In captions on her videos, Macer claims some are younger than ten years...more