Women's Economic Security in Iraqi Personal Status Law: A Comparative Explanation of Islamic Thought and Feminism in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Abstract

Women’s economic security is a key component of gender equality and sustainable development. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), legal frameworks, particularly the Iraqi Personal Status Law, influence women’s financial independence by regulating inheritance and maintenance but fail to explicitly address women's right to work, income distribution, and financial autonomy. This legal gap has led to disputes within families and increased feminist critiques regarding women's economic security, while some Islamic interpretations advocate for financial protections for women. This study explores the impact of the Iraqi Personal Status Law on women's economic security through a comparative analysis of Islamic thought and feminist perspectives. Using qualitative legal analysis, the research examines statutory provisions and amendments in the KRI, alongside Islamic jurisprudential and feminist critiques, to assess their implications for women’s financial autonomy. The study tries to provide a nuanced understanding of these legal, religious, and feminist frameworks and offers recommendations for achieving a more equitable approach to women’s economic security in the region.