The protest letter was delivered to the Iraqi Embassy in London on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”

To the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq – London

Subject: Immediate Action Required to Prevent Child Marriage and Protect Women and Girls in IraqWe, organisations and individuals, stand in protest today to demand that the Government of Iraq immediately prevent and reverse all legal measures that enable child marriage.  This includes recent moves in Parliament to expand and legitimise the law, under the sectarian personal status amendments and the Jaafari Law. These actions violate Iraq’s constitutional commitments, international obligations, and the basic dignity of women and girls.

Child marriage is a form of gender-based violence. It destroys childhoods, blocks education, exposes girls to physical and sexual abuse and condemns them to a lifetime of inequality. Legalising or facilitating this practice is a grave breach of human rights and a direct threat to the safety, health, and future of girls across Iraq.

We further raise urgent concerns regarding the escalating violence against women offline and online. Iraqi women and girls today face harassment, blackmail, sexual exploitation, hate speech, and threats, particularly through social media platforms. Many cases go unreported because families fear stigma or retaliation, leaving countless victims without protection.

The failure to enforce laws, provide accessible services, or create safe reporting mechanisms leaves women and girls vulnerable and unprotected. Additionally, the discriminatory personal status laws continue to restrict women’s rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and custody, deepening inequality and facilitating abuse.

We call on the Government of Iraq to:

Immediately abolish the Jaafari Law and reject all retroactive sectarian amendments to the Personal Status Law that open the door to child marriage.

Raise the legal age of marriage to 18 without exception, and criminalize all forms of child marriage and clerical marriages involving minors.

Establish a coherent legal framework to combat online violence, blackmail, and exploitation of women and girls, with a specialized institution, clear mandate, and hotline.

Expand and adequately resource Directorates for Combating Domestic Violence across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, ensuring survivors have confidential reporting systems and protection from retaliation.

Support women’s organizations and civil society groups working to combat violence and promote women’s rights.

Ensure equal access to education for girls, especially in rural areas, by addressing transportation challenges, lack of schools, unsafe environments, and the impact of child marriage on school dropout rates.

The future of Iraq cannot be built on the suffering of its girls. Preventing child marriage is not optional it is a legal and moral obligation. We demand immediate action and accountability from the Iraqi government to protect the rights, lives, and dignity of women and girls.

We submit this letter today as part of our peaceful protest, standing in solidarity with all Iraqi women and girls fighting for their fundamental human rights.

-Kurdish and Middle Eastern women’s Organisation

-The Iraqi Women’s League – UK Branch

-Federation of Iraqi Refugees-FIR

-International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-IFIR

-Worker-Communist Party of Kurdistan / British Organization-WPk