Insurance equality in Iran

IRANIAN women killed or injured in car accidents are set to get the same insurance compensation rights as men.

At the moment, under the Sharia law imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution, compensation for the loss of a woman's life – "blood money" – is half that paid for a man.

This rule, which applies to physical injury as well, has governed payments from insurance companies, even though both sexes pay equal premiums.

But Alireza Jamshidi, a judiciary spokesman, said parliament had voted in favour of a proposed change, although it has to be approved by a constitutional watchdog controlled by conservative clerics.

"Henceforth, the payment of blood money and damage compensation will be equal in regard to women and men," he said.