Iran significantly lowered its fertility rate before an abrupt about-face under the “leadership” of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Now the parliament is poised to lower the legal age of marriage for girls from 13 to 9. According to the story, “Iran is not the only one with this phenomenon. Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Niger are among the many countries that do not have adequate protection for girls to grow up without being forced into marriage.” Details here, in Child Bride Practice Rising in Iran, Parliament Seeks to Lower Girl’s Legal Marriage Age to 9.