While browsing through the Jordan Times website, I found the following statistics, which I found very intriguing:

The number of Jordanian women filing for divorce at the Amman Sharia Court, under what is widely
known as the khuloe law, has doubled over the past two years. In 2003, 376 women filed khuloe cases, of which 37 cases were settled. But in 2004, the number increased to 852 khuloe cases at the same court, and Sharia judges settled 111 cases, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

While I should not celebrate the breakup of families, I’m quite happy that women are getting equal rights as men when it comes to divorce. This victory, however, may not last thanks to the brilliant work of some Jordanian MPs.

Women’s rights campaigners suffered a blow when the Lower House twice rejected the amended Personal Status Law in 2003 and 2004. Many deputies charged then that the law encouraged immorality, was against Islamic Sharia and disintegrated family values.

However, there is still hope. Let’s just wait and see.

The Upper House upheld the government’s amendments but no date has been set for a joint session vote, which will require a two-thirds majority for the legislation to be passed. The temporary khuloe law remains in effect until the two Houses vote on it.