Academic Conference in Baghdad Advances Legal Dialogue to Protect Girls, Strengthen Family Legal Frameworks in Iraq [EN/AR]

Country: Iraq Source: United Nations Population Fund Please refer to the attached files. Experts, judges, and academics discuss strengthening legislation in line with human rights Baghdad, 7 May 2026 — Leading legal experts, government representatives, academics, and graduate students convened today in Baghdad to discuss ways to strengthen legal frameworks that protect families and advance the rights of women and girls in Iraq. The discussions took place during a conference titled “The System of Sharia Codifications and Their Role in Regulating Family Legal Provisions, ” which brought together representatives from the Supreme Judicial Council, academic institutions, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Organized in collaboration with the College of Law at the University of Baghdad, the conference served as an important platform for dialogue aimed at developing legal frameworks that respond to growing social challenges, foremost among them child marriage, which continues to directly affect the lives and futures of girls in Iraq. Participants highlighted that this practice remains a pressing societal issue. According to census data, 24 per cent of women in Iraq aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, reflecting the scale of the challenge and the need for effective interventions. The conference featured academic sessions and interactive discussions focused on analyzing existing legal frameworks, including personal status laws and religious codifications, and exploring ways to strengthen them to ensure better protection for children and women. Participants emphasized the importance of aligning legislation with the principle of the “best interests of the child” and reinforcing the role of the judiciary and legal institutions in addressing harmful practices. The event also builds on previous national efforts, including the 2022 conference on human capital protection and a series of consultative dialogues held in 2025 with judicial authorities and relevant stakeholders to examine the implications of legal amendments on the rights of children and families. Dr. Ali Hadi Al-Hilali, Dean of the College of Law at the University of Baghdad, noted that “this conference reflects the vital role of academic institutions in supporting legal reform and promoting social justice, ” while Dr. Hind Jalal, UNFPA Representative in Iraq, emphasized that “law faculties are not only educational institutions, but drivers of societal change and the shaping of legal opinion that protects the most vulnerable. ” The conference resulted in a set of practical recommendations to strengthen legal protections for children and families, increase awareness among future legal professionals on the impacts of child marriage, and contribute to the development of a policy paper outlining actionable reforms. It will also help enhance collaboration between academic, judicial, and governmental institutions. This conference marks an important step towards building a more just and sustainable society in Iraq. It contributes to the priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2029), particularly in advancing human capital development, gender equality, and inclusive governance. It also reinforces national efforts to eliminate harmful practices, uphold human rights, and build a future in which every girl can realize her full potential and actively contribute to her community.

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