By Meredith Bryce

On behalf of the Zonta Club of Kiama-Shellharbour, President Meredith Bryce has reached out to the Kiama Country Women’s Association (CWA) to rally support in addressing a concerning international issue. Recent reports indicate that Iraq’s parliament is considering a proposal to lower the age of consent for girls from 18 to 9 years.

This alarming prospect has prompted the Zonta Club to take a firm stand against such a decision, aligning with their commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of women and girls globally.

Key Points of Concern

• Child Rights and Human Rights:
  • Lowering the age of consent could effectively legalize child marriage and enable state-sanctioned exploitation of young girls.
  • Such a move directly violates international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

• Education and Gender Equity:
  • Zonta strongly opposes child marriage as it disrupts girls' education, diminishes opportunities, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality.
  • The club fears this decision will undermine efforts to protect the educational and personal development rights of girls in Iraq.

• International Advocacy:
  • Articles 16, 25, 26, and 29 of the UDHR emphasise protections against forced marriage, safeguarding children’s rights, ensuring education, and limiting harmful practices.
  • Zonta believes all democratic nations have a responsibility to oppose measures that infringe on these rights, especially those affecting minors.

Local Advocacy Efforts

The Zonta Club has already contacted federal representatives in the Kiama and Shellharbour electorates, requesting that Australia take a formal stance against the proposed legislation in Iraq. They are urging other community organizations, including the CWA, to amplify this advocacy by:

• Writing to federal MPs to highlight shared concerns.
• Supporting international campaigns against child marriage and gender-based violence.

Call to Action

The Zonta Club invites the CWA to join forces in advocating for the protection of young girls from exploitation and harm. Both organizations share a commitment to gender equity and human rights and can play a vital role in raising awareness and influencing change on a global scale.

By working together, Zonta and the CWA can send a strong message that such legislation is unacceptable and advocate for the protection of vulnerable children worldwide.