EVERY year on March 8, the world commemorates International Women’s Day, a moment to celebrate achievements in gender equality and highlight ongoing struggles.

In Iraq, this day serves as a solemn reminder of the persistent challenges Iraqi women face, particularly in light of recent setbacks in the Iraqi Personal Status Law and the increasing restrictions imposed on women’s rights.

One of the most alarming developments in recent years has been the attempted reversal of legal protections for women, including the push for laws that permit the marriage of minors and limit women’s freedoms.

Historical significance of Iraq’s Personal Status Law

Iraq once boasted one of the most progressive personal status laws in the region. Enacted in 1959, the Iraqi Personal Status Law 188 provided Iraqi women with relatively advanced rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and custody compared to neighbouring countries. It was a landmark legislation that recognised women’s agency and sought to curb patriarchal traditions that oppressed them.

Over time, however, political instability, sectarian conflicts, and conservative pressures, under the sectarian-ethnic power-sharing system installed after the US war and occupation of Iraq in 2003, have led to efforts to dismantle these hard-fought gains.

The threat of child marriage and legal reversals

In recent years, anti-democratic political and religious factions have pushed for amendments to the Personal Status Law 188 that would permit the marriage of girls as young as nine under religious interpretations. This move is a direct assault on the rights of Iraqi women and girls, undermining their health, education, and future prospects.

The marriage of minors is not just a legal issue but a humanitarian crisis; it exposes young girls to grievous physical and psychological harm, domestic violence, and a lifetime of disempowerment.

Despite fierce opposition from women’s rights activists and campaigners, legal attempts to roll back protections continue. These regressive measures threaten decades of progress and undermine Iraq’s commitments to international human rights conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which Iraq ratified in 1986.

Social and economic barriers faced by Iraqi women

Beyond legal setbacks, Iraqi women struggle against deeply ingrained societal restrictions that limit their opportunities in education, employment, and political representation.

Economic hardships, exacerbated by years of conflict and instability, disproportionately impact women, forcing many into economic dependency. Additionally, conservative societal norms often dictate that women remain within the domestic sphere, limiting their professional and social advancement.

Violence against women remains a pervasive issue in Iraq, with domestic abuse, honour killings, and harassment continuing unabated. Legal protections against gender-based violence remain weak, and survivors often face stigma and societal pressure to remain silent rather than seek justice.

Women’s resistance and the fight for rights

Despite these challenges, Iraqi women have continued to resist. Women’s rights organisations, activists, and grassroots movements tirelessly advocate for legal protections and social change. Protests and campaigns led by women have drawn national and international attention to these issues, demanding accountability from the government and religious leaders.

Alliance 188, a group of women and human rights organisations and activists, including the Iraqi Women’s League, has led a courageous campaign to prevent amending Personal Status Law 188, despite facing threats and intimidation.

The resilience of Iraqi women is evident in their continued struggle to reclaim their rights, even in the face of immense adversity.

The need for action and solidarity

On this International Women’s Day, it is crucial to stand in solidarity with Iraqi women and support their fight against legal regression and social oppression. 

The UN, international women’s and human rights organisations, and Iraqi civil society must collectively push back against repressive laws that endanger women and girls. Strengthening legal protections, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and promoting gender-sensitive education are essential steps toward safeguarding the rights of Iraqi women.

Iraqi women deserve a future where their rights are not negotiable, where they are free to pursue education and careers without fear, and where the law protects them rather than suppresses them. The fight for gender equality in Iraq is far from over, but through perseverance, awareness, and collective action, progress remains possible.

On International Women’s Day, let us honour the courage of Iraqi women and renew our commitment to advocating for women’s rights, dignity, and freedom.