Iraq is poised to pass a new law that would lower the legal age of consent from 18 to nine, allowing men to marry young girls, according to a new report. The Shia conservative groups that dominate Iraq’s parliament have proposed an amendment to the country’s “personal status law” that could see a Taliban-style rollback of all women’s rights.

The coalition of Shia Muslim parties claims that the proposed move aligns with a strict interpretation of Islamic law and protects young girls from 'immoral relationships'. While attempts have been made in the past to amend the law,

Iraq is poised to slash the legal age of consent from 18 to to nine, allowing men to marry young children. The proposed legal change also deprives women of rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.

Rights activists say the amendment would roll back women's rights and increase underage marriages in the country.