The Jordanian Parliament has voted to abolish a controversial law allowing rapists to evade punishment if they marry their victims, a decision that has bolstered the rights of women in a country that seems to remain wholly discriminatory against women.

Khaled Ramadan, a parliamentarian who pushed to abolish the law, told Al Jazeera "This is a historic day in Jordan's history."

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"After 57 years of this law, this is an important step towards societal reform and for equality. Today we are sending a message to every rapist that 'your crime will not be overlooked and we will not let you get away with it,'" he said.

Article 308 — which is considered to be a "rape loophole" — pardons rape perpetrators for at least three years, if they marry their victims. The law was put in place as a means of defending a woman's "honor," but has been widely regarded as an infringement on their autonomy. In April, Jordan's cabinet proposed the abolishment of the law which later received support from King Abdullah — ushering in the proposal's ratification on Tuesday.

"We are celebrating today. This is a historic moment not only for Jordan, but for the entire region. This achievement is a result of the concerted effort of the civil society, women's rights and human rights organisations in Jordan," said Salma Nims, secretary-general of the Jordanian National Commission for Women.

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Jordan is one of nine Arab States that allow the crimes of rapists to be pardoned if they marry their victims — all of which have faced harsh backlash from activists and protestors. In December, the Lebanese Parliament took the necessary steps to abolish its own version of the law following a review of its terms, but the proposal is still making its way through the country's legislative process.