In Iraq, recent amendments to personal status laws have led to a significant increase in child marriages, raising concerns among human rights and women's rights activists. Reports indicate that girls as young as nine are being married under the Ja’fari religious law, despite civil law setting the minimum marriage age at 15. This legal change allows individuals to choose sect-specific religious courts for marriage matters, effectively enabling judges to authorize child marriages based on perceived maturity.

One notable case involves a 12-year-old girl named Amani, who is set to marry a 17-year-old without her consent. The amendment has reportedly fueled a black market for underage marriages, with families often compelled by financial hardship. Activists warn that this trend is exacerbated by local clerics who support these practices.

The wedding industry in Iraq has seen increased activity related to child brides, with professionals such as makeup artists and videographers noting a rise in clients under the age of 15. Social media platforms like TikTok feature videos of very young girls preparing for weddings, drawing significant attention.

Human rights advocates emphasize the dangers posed by these legal changes. They highlight that many girls are unaware of their rights under Ja’fari law, which can allow husbands to divorce them or take custody of children without dispute. There have been reports of intimidation against those protesting against these amendments.

According to data from the United Nations, approximately 28% of girls in Iraq are married before reaching 18 years old, with an alarming percentage involved in unregistered marriages before age 14. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council noted a substantial increase in weddings during the first half of 2025 compared to previous years.

Activists continue their fight against these legal changes despite facing state repression and threats. They stress the importance of protecting young girls' rights and well-being amid growing concerns over child marriage practices in Iraq.

Original article (iraq)

The article discusses the troubling rise of child marriages in Iraq due to recent legal amendments. However, it lacks actionable information for readers who may want to respond or engage with this issue. There are no clear steps or resources provided that a normal person can utilize immediately. The article primarily recounts facts and statistics without offering guidance on how individuals can help or what actions they might take.

In terms of educational depth, while the article presents alarming statistics about child marriage rates and legal changes, it does not delve deeply into the underlying causes or systems that allow these practices to continue. It mentions Ja’fari law but does not explain its implications thoroughly, leaving readers without a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Regarding personal relevance, while the issue is critical and affects many young girls in Iraq, it may not resonate with readers outside this context unless they have direct ties to the region. For most people, especially those living far from Iraq, the information feels distant and less impactful on their daily lives.

The public service function is limited as well; although it raises awareness about a serious issue, it does not provide warnings or safety guidance for individuals who might be affected by similar laws elsewhere. The article seems more focused on drawing attention to a problem rather than helping readers understand how they can act responsibly in response.

There is no practical advice offered that an ordinary reader could realistically follow. The discussion remains high-level and lacks concrete steps for advocacy or support against child marriage practices.

In terms of long-term impact, while raising awareness about child marriage is important, the article does not equip readers with tools or knowledge that would help them plan ahead or make informed decisions regarding similar issues in their own communities.

Emotionally and psychologically, the piece generates concern but may also lead to feelings of helplessness since there are no suggested actions for individuals to take against such injustices. This lack of constructive thinking diminishes its overall effectiveness.

There are elements reminiscent of clickbait language as well; phrases like "significant increase" without context could be seen as sensationalizing an already serious situation without providing deeper insight into what that means practically.

To enhance value where the article falls short: Readers interested in advocating against child marriage should consider educating themselves further on human rights issues globally by seeking out reputable organizations working in this field. They could engage with local advocacy groups focusing on women's rights and children's protection laws within their own communities. Understanding local laws regarding marriage age can empower individuals to speak out against injustices they observe. Additionally, supporting educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about children's rights can contribute positively towards changing societal attitudes around early marriages over time.

By taking these steps—educating oneself about relevant laws and engaging with advocacy efforts—individuals can play a role in combating practices like child marriage both locally and globally.

The text uses strong language to evoke emotions about child marriage. Phrases like "significant increase in child marriages" and "raising concerns among human rights and women's rights activists" create a sense of urgency and alarm. This wording can lead readers to feel strongly against the situation without providing a balanced view of any potential cultural or societal complexities involved. The emotional tone may overshadow more nuanced discussions about the reasons behind these practices.

The phrase "despite civil law setting the minimum marriage age at 15" implies that there is a clear conflict between religious law and civil law, suggesting that religious practices are inherently problematic. This framing can lead readers to view religious laws as backward or harmful without considering the perspectives of those who adhere to them. It positions secular laws as superior, which may alienate individuals who hold different beliefs.

The text mentions that "local clerics who support these practices" are exacerbating the issue, which paints a negative picture of religious leaders. This could lead readers to generalize that all clerics are complicit in promoting child marriages without acknowledging that some may oppose such practices. By focusing on clerics' involvement, it simplifies a complex issue into good versus evil rather than exploring varying beliefs within communities.

When discussing Amani's case, the text states she is set to marry "without her consent." This phrasing emphasizes victimization but does not explore any cultural context where arranged marriages might be accepted or even desired by families for various reasons. The choice of words here frames Amani solely as a victim rather than someone whose situation might be viewed differently within her community.

The mention of “a black market for underage marriages” suggests illegal activity and wrongdoing associated with financial hardship faced by families. However, this framing does not consider why families might feel compelled to marry off their daughters young or how economic conditions influence such decisions. It presents an oversimplified narrative that could shift blame entirely onto impoverished families without addressing systemic issues at play.

Activists are described as facing “state repression and threats,” which indicates a struggle against authority but lacks detail on what specific actions have led to this repression. The absence of context around state responses makes it difficult for readers to understand the full scope of activism in Iraq or whether there are differing opinions on these legal changes among citizens themselves.

The statistic stating “approximately 28% of girls in Iraq are married before reaching 18 years old” is presented as alarming but lacks context about trends over time or comparisons with other countries. Without additional data, this figure alone may mislead readers into thinking Iraq has uniquely high rates of child marriage compared to other regions where similar practices exist due to cultural norms.

Overall, while the text raises important issues regarding child marriage in Iraq, its language choices often emphasize emotional responses over balanced perspectives and fail to fully explore underlying causes or diverse viewpoints within affected communities.

The text conveys a range of powerful emotions that highlight the serious issue of child marriage in Iraq. One prominent emotion is fear, which emerges from the alarming statistics and reports about young girls being married off, often without their consent. The mention of Amani, a 12-year-old girl set to marry a 17-year-old, evokes fear for her future and well-being. This fear is intensified by the description of legal changes that allow judges to authorize child marriages based on perceived maturity, suggesting a lack of protection for vulnerable children. The strength of this emotion serves to alert readers to the dangers these girls face and encourages concern for their safety.

Another significant emotion present is anger, particularly directed at the systemic issues allowing these practices to flourish. Activists express frustration over local clerics supporting child marriages and families being compelled by financial hardship to marry off their daughters at such young ages. This anger underscores the injustice faced by these girls and highlights societal failures in protecting them from exploitation. It serves to galvanize readers against these practices, prompting them to consider how such injustices can be addressed.

Sadness permeates the narrative as it discusses the plight of many girls who are unaware of their rights under Ja’fari law, which can lead to devastating consequences like divorce or loss of custody without dispute. The emotional weight here emphasizes not only individual tragedies but also collective suffering among young girls in Iraq, fostering empathy among readers who may not have previously considered this issue.

The text also invokes worry through its references to rising trends in child marriages and increased activity within the wedding industry targeting underage brides. Reports from makeup artists and videographers about clients under 15 years old illustrate a disturbing normalization of child marriage that should provoke concern among readers about societal values shifting towards acceptance rather than resistance.

These emotions work together effectively to guide reader reactions toward sympathy for affected individuals, worry about broader societal implications, and anger towards those perpetuating these injustices. By emphasizing personal stories like Amani’s alongside statistical data from credible sources like the United Nations, the writer builds trust with readers while inspiring action against harmful practices.

The use of emotionally charged language throughout enhances this persuasive effort; phrases like "alarming percentage," "black market," and "intimidation" create urgency around an already distressing topic. Repetition is subtly employed when discussing various aspects related to child marriage—such as legal changes enabling it or rising wedding industry activity—which reinforces key points while maintaining emotional intensity.

Overall, through careful word choice and strategic emphasis on specific emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and worry, the writer shapes a compelling narrative aimed at raising awareness about child marriage in Iraq while motivating readers toward advocacy against such practices.