Jordan: Equal inheritance rights for Christian women closer than ever

The Councils of Christian Denominations (CCD) in Jordan “unanimously approved a draft law for Christians earlier this month, which will work toward granting equal inheritance rights for men and women”, according to an article published by Al-Monitor on 20 May 2023. The bill consequently needs to be approved by the government and parliament, after which a royal decree will follow.

World Watch Research analyst Henriette Kats explains: “Currently, Christians in Jordan are subject to Islamic Sharia law regarding inheritance, with men receiving twice as much inheritance as women. In addition, part of the legacy is given to a male member of the family if the direct heirs are all female. As in many countries in the Middle East, personal status matters are not settled through civil law but through the relevant religious courts. Christian ecclesiastical courts have the capacity to rule over all family matters except inheritance. There is now new hope that after years of campaigning, this gender disparity in inheritance will finally be corrected.”