August 26, 2002	Monday	Jamadi-us-Saani 16,1423

TEHRAN, Aug 25: The Iranian parliament on Sunday approved a new divorce law allowing women to file for divorce for the first time, the state-run television network IRIB reported.

Under current Iranian civil law, women in Iran have no legal right to divorce without their husband’s approval, a situation which has been criticized by Iranian feminists.

Under the new law, which needs to be endorsed by the Guardian Council, alimony will also be extended to cover the cost of essentials such as accommodation, the report said.

Women form almost half of Iran’s 65 million population but do not have equal rights.

They do not have an automatic right to an equal share of inheritance, child custody, or to leave the country. In rural areas they are not allowed to leave the house without the husband’s permission.—dpa