Last month Jordan endorsed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 15 years after it signed the international document.

“This is one of the most dangerous agreements that affects the rights of citizens as well as the nation’s identity and values,” the top legal scholar of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) party said in a statement received by AFP.

“This agreement, as well as similar American and Zionist efforts, seek to steer people away from religion,” said Ibrahim Zeid al-Kilani.

“Scientists, rulers and citizens must confront such efforts, which are aimed at destroying the Muslim family,” he added.

The UN says the convention, first adopted by the global body’s General Assembly in 1979, “provides the basis for realising equality between women and men through ensuring women’s equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment.”

Kilani noted with satisfaction that in endorsing the agreement the Jordanian government expressed reservations on clauses related to Jordan’s personal status law, citizenship, housing and the free movement of women.

But he chided the government for failing to express reservations on one clause that stipulates that women should have the same rights as men concerning the legal guardianship of children.

Women’s groups and human rights organisations in Jordan, who have been pushing for the convention’s endorsement, have welcomed the decision.