Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has promised to review all concerns expressed by the Higher Council for Women’s Affairs about changes to the Personal Status Law.
The amendments have angered civil society groups because they allow child marriages and remove a wife’s right to alimony and custody.
They also propose using religious texts from different sects in Iraq as the basis for legal decisions instead of current laws, according to Iraqi human rights advocates.
At a conference against violence against women on Saturday, al-Sudani praised the role of women in his government, noting that there are three female ministers, two deputy ministers, 111 women as general directors, and 47 assistant general directors.
He also announced the creation of the Higher Council for Women’s Affairs, which will handle decisions related to women’s development and review concerns about the Personal Status Law.
Al-Sudani mentioned that Iraq is working to reduce female illiteracy, which was at 17% two years ago.
Ala Talabani, a former Iraqi MP and vocal opponent of the changes made to the Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the head of the National Wisdom Movement Ammar al-Hakim’s call for more detailed review and alignment with modern standards is a “positive and important” move.
Talabani warned that the current draft of the amendment could lead to serious violations of women’s rights.
Meanwhile, Claudio Cordone, Deputy Representative of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to fight violence against women and support their rights, and applauded al-Sudani for pushing government agencies to act quickly on women’s issues.
Nevertheless, Iraqi intellectuals have criticized the amendments made, expressing concern about clauses lowering the marriage age for girls to about nine, allowing marriage contracts outside the courts, and affecting divorced women’s rights and child custody.
In Najaf, activists protested the law but faced opposition from religious figures and tribal leaders. The police intervened to separate the protesters and the opposing groups.
