The law, drafted in 2007 and approved by the Cabinet in April 2010, was submitted to a subcommittee for MPs to discuss this past April. If passed, it would give women government protection against domestic violence, which has until now only been handled in religious courts.

Carrying banners reading “Love does not mean abuse,” and “Respect women,” over 500 took part in the march that took off from the Interior Ministry to Riad el-Solh square in Downtown Beirut.

“We want them to pass the law the way it is, without any modifications,” said Maya Ammar, media officer for Kafa, a women’s rights group that led the demonstration, which included 51 non-governmental organizations and politicians from various parties.

Speaking to The Daily Star following the rally, Ammar also voiced concern that the clause in the draft law banning spousal rape could be removed.

She said that although they were enjoying wide support, some Islamic groups oppose the law fearing it would do away with religious courts.

However, Ammar said that the legislation, if approved, would just be a special law within the penal code.

“I think family violence should be the responsibility of the state, not just the religious courts. The state should take the initiative,” Ammar added.

If passed, Ammar added, this law would be the first of its kind in the Arab world, where all family law is governed by religious courts.