Iraq’s Jaafari law forces mothers to flee, risking children’s custody rights

Iraq’s “Jaafari personal status law,” which automatically grants custody of children to fathers after divorce, has sparked widespread social unrest, particularly among women. Many are fleeing their homes, especially in Baghdad, to protect their children from losing custody under the new law.

One mother, Esra, moved to Erbil with her five children to keep them in her care. She expressed concern that the law forces mothers out of their homes to ensure their children’s safety. Activists and human rights groups have criticized the law for its unfair impact on women, with some calling it a step backward for women’s rights.

The law has been widely condemned for undermining Iraq’s civil protections for women and children, with legal experts warning of societal chaos as it dismantles the country’s previous unified family law. Women’s rights groups are urging lawmakers to amend the law to avoid further hardship for mothers and children.