DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — Divorce cases in Duhok have seen a sharp rise, with 665 cases recorded in the first half of this year alone, according to the province’s appellate court. This number is nearing the total of 742 divorces recorded for the entirety of last year.
Experts attribute this surge to a combination of unemployment, financial instability, and marital discord. Bewar Bamarni, a local lawyer, told Zoom News’ Ali Dewali that he handles approximately 10 divorce cases annually. He pointed to economic hardships and lack of job opportunities as key contributors, noting that many young people are delaying marriage due to these financial pressures.
The financial crisis has particularly impacted the youth, leading to higher unemployment rates and creating barriers for those looking to start a family.
Unemployment and a lack of job opportunities are driving up the youth unemployment rate, leading many young people to postpone marriage process.
Payman Abdulbaqi, a young woman, attributed the increase in divorce cases to a range of factors, including financial difficulties, social pressures, intellectual differences, and issues in the premarital process.
She also clarified that marriages involving individuals under 18 contribute significantly to the issue, as these young couples often lack knowledge about their rights and responsibilities in the marriage process
Recently, a proposal by several Iraqi lawmakers to amend the Personal Status Law No. 18 of 1959 has raised concerns about potentially reviving child marriage in the country, with many see as key factor for divorce cases. While the current law prohibits marriage for girls under 18, the proposed changes could allow girls as young as nine to marry, causing widespread alarm among Iraqi and Kurdistan Region communities.
Amendment to Iraqi law sparks concerns over revival of child marriage
Reporting by Ali Dewali, Zoom News reproter in Duhok.
