Women can sometimes feel the consequences of divorce more than men. While men can find it relatively easy to marry again and start a new family, women in some societies, and this includes the UAE, often find themselves blamed for not being able to sustain their family and continue to face a stigma long after divorce.
But such difficulties haven't stopped many divorced women from succeeding in life and pursuing their dreams after divorce. Last week, The National highlighted the story of Aysha Al Naqbi, who did not let her divorce stop her from being a productive member of society. Because of the social struggle she went through, she made it her mission to help other women in the same situation. On top of her full-time job, she is planning to start coaching women on how to cope with divorce.
By sharing her experience, Ms Al Naqbi has provided an empowering example for all women. Divorce can be a traumatising experience for couples. It can also affect children who can be caught between the mother and father. But divorce, though hardly to be welcomed, is both legal and permissible in Islam, and sometimes divorce can be the only solution to many problems, including domestic abuse and constant disputes.
Though there are no clear numbers, experts believe that the UAE’s rates of divorce have increased in recent years due to complex factors. And this is why it’s very important to have an open and frank conversation about the possible reasons driving the trend. Families form the core unit of society, making them a foundation for its strength, and so we need to make every effort we can to protect them from break-up.
It is therefore better if couples completely understand what marriage is about before making such huge commitment. While divorce should be avoided as much as possible, rising rates could also mean increased levels of awareness in society – and even, perhaps, greater acceptance.
