Olivia Asher is a reporter at the New Herald Tribune covering breaking news for the Digital Trends Desk. Before joining the newsroom in 2022, she covered criminal justice issues at the Orlando Plain Dealer.
August 9 , 2024
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri GOP has come under fire after several members expressed support for Iraq’s controversial proposed law that would lower the legal marriage age for girls to nine years old. The proposed legislation in Iraq has sparked widespread outrage and protests, with critics arguing it would severely undermine the rights of women and children.
The Iraqi bill, introduced by MP Raed al-Maliki, aims to amend the country’s Personal Status Law, allowing girls as young as nine and boys as young as fifteen to marry. This proposal has been met with significant opposition from human rights organizations and activists, who warn it could lead to increased child marriages and further entrench gender inequality.
In Missouri, the GOP’s stance on this issue has added fuel to an already heated debate over child marriage laws within the state. Earlier this year, a bipartisan effort to ban child marriage in Missouri failed to pass in the House, leaving the current law, which allows 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent, unchanged.
State Senator Holly Rehder, a Republican from Scott City, expressed her disappointment over the failure to pass the ban, stating, "Banning child marriage should not be controversial. When I filed this bill, I had no idea it would be controversial." The bill faced opposition from some Republican members who argued it constituted government overreach and infringed on parental rights.
The Missouri GOP’s recent comments on Iraq’s proposed law have drawn sharp criticism from both local and national figures. Critics argue that supporting such legislation abroad while failing to protect minors at home sends a troubling message about the party’s priorities and commitment to human rights.
Women’s rights groups in Missouri have been particularly vocal, with many calling for renewed efforts to pass legislation banning child marriage in the state. “It’s disheartening to see our leaders support a law that would harm so many young girls,” said Inas Jabbar, a board member of the Iraqi Women Network and a member of Coalition 1884. “We need to focus on protecting children here in Missouri and ensuring they have the opportunity to grow up free from exploitation.”
As the debate continues, the Missouri GOP faces increasing pressure to clarify its position and take concrete steps to address the issue of child marriage both locally and globally. The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle to balance cultural, religious, and legal considerations in the fight for children’s rights.
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