Jordan to scrap marriage loophole for rapists

    A law which protected Jordan's rapists from punishment if they married their victims will soon be scrapped.

   The Jordanian cabinet revoked Article 308 after years of campaigning by women's activists, and religious scholars.
   The law had meant rapists could avoid a jail term in return for marrying their victim for at least three years.
   However, the cabinet's decision must now be voted through by Members of Parliament, and could still be blocked.

   Activists are hopeful it will be scrapped in May, as they hope the repeal could lead to change in countries like Iraq, the Philippines and Tunisia, where similar laws exist.