Jordan woman 'wins right to divorce'

Women cannot divorce in most Muslim countries

A Jordanian woman has reportedly won the right to divorce her husband, in the first such court ruling under a new law.

The unidentified woman has been married for three years to a man she claims to "hate", according to Jordanian newspaper Al-Arab Al-Yawm.

Like most Islamic countries, Jordan's legal system only used to allow men to file for divorce, but a new law which came into effect earlier this year gave women the same right.

King Abdullah pledged to improve women's rights in Jordan

The woman filed for divorce shortly after the law was passed, according to the report.

In line with the new legislation, she first had to forfeit any right to financial compensation.

This included a dowry she had received from her husband at the time of their marriage, the newspaper said.

Improving women's status

The court tried to reconcile the couple but finally bowed to the woman's request in line with the new legislation.

The amended law states that a judge can order a divorce if the woman says "she can no longer live with her husband".

The changes were based on a proposal by a royal human rights commission set up in 2000.

The commission was set up by King Abdullah, who pledged to improve the status of Jordanian women when he came to power in 1999.

Correspondents say that since the new law came into force, at least 50 women have filed for divorce.