LWF: Protecting Women's Rights in Iraq
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has addressed the UN Human Rights Council highlighting key women's rights issues during the council's session that reviewed the human rights situation in Iraq.
Iraq has made progress by setting up new shelters, hotline services, and public campaigns addressing violence against women and girls. At the same time there are troubling legal provisions that continue to undermine women's rights and their safety. Iraq's Penal Code still permits marital "discipline," reduced sentences for honor crimes, and allows perpetrators of sexual assault to escape punishment by marrying their victims.
The statement, presented by LWF Iraq Program Coordinator Helan Remzi Muhammed, calls for reforms including a comprehensive anti-domestic violence law, criminalization of marital rape, and equal access to justice for divorced women and displaced persons.
LWF Iraq works for women's rights through psychosocial support, awareness campaigns, and community initiatives that challenge harmful norms in conflict-affected areas.
The statement is based on a report submitted by the LWF and partners as a contribution to Iraq's human rights assessment under the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and provides detailed recommendations and data from LWF's work in Iraq.
Oral Statement to the 59th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council on UPR Adoptions: Iraq
Delivered by The Lutheran World Federation, July 2025
Mr. President,
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) would like to commend the Republic of Iraq for its constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. We welcome the support expressed for several recommendations concerning the rights of women and girls.
We appreciate that Iraq has put in place important legislative and policy frameworks aimed at protecting the rights of women and girls.
We acknowledge steps taken by Iraq, including the establishment of shelters for women, hotline services for survivors of violence, and awareness campaigns addressing violence against women and girls.
We welcome Iraq's support for recommendations related to enacting an anti-domestic violence law and improving women's access to justice.
However, we remain deeply concerned about;
The persistent and systemic violence against women and girls, discriminatory provisions in Iraq's Penal Code, and the alarming gap between Iraq's international and national legal obligations and their actual implementation.
The continued presence of laws that permit "disciplining" of wives, mitigate sentences for honor crimes, and allow suspects of sexual assault to escape prosecution by marrying their victims and thereby undermining their fundamental human rights.
We urge the Government of Iraq to: Accelerate the adoption of a comprehensive anti-domestic violence law, including the criminalization of marital rape, and repeal Penal Code Articles 41, 128, 377, 398, and 409, which tolerate violence against women. Additionally, abolish Article 8 of the Personal Status Law to prohibit child marriage and enhance regulation of informal marriages by tribal and religious authorities. Lift reservations to CEDAW Articles 9(2) and 16 to guarantee women's equal rights in family and nationality matters, and reform the National Identity Card system to ensure divorced women and internally displaced persons (IDPs) can access documentation independently, enabling their full participation in society. Expand and adequately fund national protection services, including shelters and psychosocial support, ensuring accessibility for women and girls in rural and marginalized communities, and providing survivor-centered assistance to those affected by violence. Ensure that your government continues to strengthen efforts towards addressing violence against women and girls and protecting women's rights, particularly in regions with ethnic, religious and cultural diversity and instability, particularly in Sinjar and Summel districts.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(Source: LWF)
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