From reform to regression : Women’s rights and the Amendments to the Personal status Code in Iraq

"From reform to regression : Women's rights and the 2025 Amendments to the 1959 Iraqi Personal Status Code", EUAA COI Country Specialist Network on Iraq, EUAA headquarters, Valetta, Malta

20-21 May 2026

The 2025 amendment to the 1959 unified Personal status Code in Iraq marks a leap of nearly 66 years back in time. A « right of choice » has been granted to Iraqi Shia to fellow their own religious norms in family-related matters. Came into force in August 2025, the new Jafari Code (Modawana) is aimed to reflect more closely the traditionnal provisions of Ja’afri school of jurisprudence (fiqh). As a consequence, Shia women lost the most of achievements long struggled for. Professor Al-Dabbagh highlitighted the dire implications of these sweeping changes in termes of temporary marriage, out-of-court marriage, divorce, repudiation, dower, housing rights, child custody, marital power, alimony and inheritance.

Ce contenu a été mis à jour le 4 juin 2026 à 10 h 36 min.