A draft law in Iraq that would allow girls as young as nine to marry has sparked protests across the country, Al Mada newspaper reported on August 19.

The proposed legislation, which passed its first reading in the Iraqi parliament last week, would grant religious authorities the power to decide on family matters, including marriage, divorce, and child custody. Meanwhile, critics argue the law effectively legalises paedophilia and marks a significant setback for women's rights in the country.

Since 2021, Iraq's political system has been dominated by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Iran-aligned factions.

They have passed several sharia-oriented laws, including one recognising religious holidays and another criminalising LGBT activities, aligning the country with Iran.

The proposed law has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and women's rights activists, who argue it violates international conventions on children's rights.

Protests have erupted in several Iraqi cities, with demonstrators calling on the government to withdraw the draft law and protect children's rights.

In Baghdad, more than 30 demonstrators from medical professions suffered severe injuries as a result of clashes with riot police protesting the bill.

In northern Iraq, citizens in Erbil Castle held protests on August 19 denouncing the draft amendment to the Personal Status Law. Similar demonstrations were held in Mosul on August 18, with women's rights activists expressing concern over potential changes to inheritance laws and the lowering of the marriage age for girls.

In Najaf last week, a women's protest against the Personal Status Law amendments was forcibly dispersed by local citizens and religious figures.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the proposed legislation, urging Iraqi authorities to uphold their commitments to international human rights standards.

As the bill moves through parliament, its opponents vow to continue their fight against what they see as a dangerous erosion of women's and children's rights in Iraq.