This study examines the strategies employed by female university students in the Iraqi Kurdistan region when declining marriage proposals. The researchers utilized a questionnaire, consisting of five different contexts, to collect data from 19 to 23-year-old participants. The data is analyzed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Further, the face negotiation theory developed by Stella Ting-Toomey is used to analyze the obtained data. The study investigates the perceptions and experiences of individuals receiving marriage proposal refusals and how these influence the communication process. The results reveal that sociocultural factors and norms influence the choice of refusal strategies among the participants. The findings also provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics involved in declining marriage proposals within the context of Iraqi Kurdistan. Eventually, the study contributes to the existing literature on refusal strategies and has practical implications for improving cross-cultural communication and interpersonal relationships.