51 women killed in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2025: data

SULAIMANI,— At least 51 women have been killed or have died under suspicious circumstances in Iraqi Kurdistan since the start of 2025, according to compiled data by Rojnews, underscoring an ongoing pattern of violence against women in the region.

Many of the killings occurred within families and were linked to claims of honor, domestic disputes, or alleged mental illness, local sources and media reports show. In several cases, women were killed by close male relatives, including husbands, fathers, or brothers.

The deaths were reported in multiple cities across Iraqi Kurdistan. Some women were killed using firearms or other weapons, while others died after being strangled or attacked with corrosive substances. In a number of cases, the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.

Violence against women has persisted amid broader economic, political, and social pressures in the region. Observers say these conditions, combined with long-standing patriarchal norms and the influence of authority-controlled media, have contributed to an increase in such crimes.

Data published by Rojnews Agency shows that 51 women have been killed or found dead under suspicious circumstances since the beginning of this year.

The agency said the cases were documented across the Kurdistan Region through local monitoring and media coverage.

The figure marks an increase from 2024, when at least 48 women were reported killed or found dead under similar conditions, according to the statistics.

Journalists say access to official data remains limited, forcing media outlets to rely on independent reporting.

Since taking office in 2019, Kurdistan Regional Government caretaker Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has faced criticism from rights advocates over what they describe as restrictions on publishing data related to violence against women. Analysts say the lack of public statistics has made it difficult to measure the scale of the problem.

Reports from legal observers point to weaknesses in the judicial system, including interference in court proceedings and delays in resolving cases involving women. In some instances, suspects have reportedly been released or not prosecuted, a situation critics attribute to political influence and inconsistent enforcement of the law.

On Jan. 21, 2025, Iraq approved a proposed amendment to Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 that critics say legalizes child marriage.

The amendments give Islamic courts greater authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance, raising concerns among human rights advocates.

Critics say the changes undermine Iraq’s 1959 Personal Status Law, which unified family law and provided legal protections for women.

Under the current law, the minimum marriage age is 18. The amendments approved Tuesday would allow clerics to make rulings based on their interpretation of Islamic law. Some interpretations could permit girls to marry as young as 9, particularly under the Jaafari school followed by many Shiite religious leaders in Iraq.

Supporters of the amendments, mostly conservative Shiite lawmakers, argue the changes are needed to align Iraq’s legal system with Islamic principles and limit the influence of Western culture.

Authorities have described Iraqi Kurdistan as a safe environment for women. Analysts, however, say restrictions on the publication of data related to women’s killings are aimed at protecting political authority rather than addressing the root causes of violence.

Local sources say courts and social institutions continue to play a role in shaping women’s position in society, limiting their participation in public life across Iraqi Kurdistan.

(With files from Rojnews | Agencies)