Early marriage figures for Iraq are startling. Child advocates worry it could rise even more.
Between 2013 and 2017, falling oil prices, the rampaging Islamic State and other internecine conflicts shrunk Iraq’s GDP from $235 billion to $197 billion. In the same period, early marriage for young women and girls skyrocketed.
Young Iraqis have reason to be disillusioned with politics. Instead, many are backing a new generation of leaders.
The controversial rule is part of austerity measures the government is imposing to lower its debt. That includes rationing baby formula, which costs this nation $51 million annually in scarce foreign currency reserves.
In much of the Middle East, it’s getting more dangerous to be gay