TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's parliament approved a bill giving women the right to sue for divorce, a similar right already guaranteed for men.
The bill, approved by the 290-seat parliament Sunday, amends Iran's Civil Code and lets women seek a divorce in court, said lawmaker Elaheh Koolaee.
In order to become law, the bill must be approved by the hard-line Guardian Council, which reviews all laws passed by parliament and oversees elections. No date has been set for its review.
"The bill is the beginning of the realization of part of a reform promise to improve women's rights and change the male-dominated laws that have harmed Iranian women throughout history," Koolaee said.
The amendment defines alimony and lets women demand housing and health allowances.
Koolaee, a Tehran university professor and women's rights advocate, said Iran's 12 female lawmakers had been fighting for "comprehensive changes" to improve women's rights.
Iran has a population of 66.1 million residents, 31.1 million of whom are female.
Under Iran's Islamic laws, a woman needs her husband's permission to work or travel abroad. A man's court testimony is considered twice as important as a woman's, while men are allowed to keep four spouses at once, a right not granted to women.
Women have enjoyed greater freedoms since the 1997 election of President Mohammad Khatami, who appointed a woman as vice president. Other women have been appointed to top government posts, but not Cabinet positions.
The reformist-dominated parliament has already succeeded in lifting a ban on unmarried women studying abroad.
