Legislative Reforms for Improving Women's Rights in Jordan and Kenya

December 21, 2001

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) is pleased to join our partners and colleagues in Jordan and Kenya in sharing news of recent legislative reforms that provide enhanced protection of the rights of women and girls.

Asma Khader, director of our partner organization Sisterhood Is Global Institute/Jordan and member of the Royal Commission for Human Rights (RCHR), reports that in Jordan on December 13th the Jordanian Cabinet approved several amendments to the Civil Status Law at the recommendation of the RCHR. The legal age for marriage was raised from 15 for women and 16 for men to 18 for both sexes, and Jordanian women now have legal recourse to divorce, subject to certain monetary compensations. Moreover, new restrictions on polygamy require a man to inform his first wife of plans to marry again and to submit evidence of his financial ability to support more than one wife.

As a result of a legislative amendment to Article 340 of the Penal Code, perpetrators of honour crimes are no longer exempt from the death penalty, although judges are still allowed to commute the sentences of the convicted. Articles 97 and 98, which reduce the sentence for crimes committed in a fit of fury and are frequently referenced in honour crime cases, were unaffected by the amendments. The Jordanian government's approval of the amendment to Article 340 is a first step in recognizing honour crimes as a capital offense, although many challenges clearly still remain. All the amendments were endorsed as temporary laws by a Royal Decree.

In Kenya on December 12th, female genital mutilation (FGM) was outlawed for girls under the age of 17. The prohibition is a measure included in the 2001 Children's Bill recently passed by the Kenyan parliament. FGM, which remains widespread in much of rural Kenya, is now a crime punishable by at least one year in jail. President Moi clarified that older girls have the choice to be circumcised or not, and that their rights are also protected by the new law. The President has promised police protection for those at risk.

International solidarity and support are indispensable to the success of efforts to improve the rights of women. While the recent reforms in Jordan and Kenya are important, much more needs to be done in these countries and around the world. In sharing this news, we extend our thanks to our friends and colleagues for their continued support, not only of WLP, but also of many individuals' and organizations' dedicated work for human rights, justice, democracy, and peace. We salute your efforts and look forward to working with you in the years to come.

With warm wishes for 2002,

Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, & Peace