Dr. Akef Al Maaita about divorce law

UniHRD

According to Jordan's Department of Statistics the number of divorces in Jordan has rocketed with about 22,000 cases registered in 2016, up from 1,000 in 2011, a record high. Being labelled as a divorcee or a single mother in a patriarchal and conservative society is a heavy burden.

One of the most factors of the increasing cases of divorce is that wrong choice of spouse, basing life on dreams and illusions and having a large gap between husband and wife at the educational or economic level usually results in divorce. Bad financial situations, physical and verbal abuse, extramarital affairs, extended family [members] meddling in the couple’s lives and incompatibility are among the common causes cited for divorce in Jordan.

Marriage counselling is not common in Jordan, families tend to regulate things themselves. And despite being alienated, many women eventually appreciate their freedom over staying in an unhappy marriage.

Sharing experiences in a safe place

UniHRD

The main objective of the workshop was to familiarize women with their rights after divorce and with regard to matters of alimony and custody. But it was also about sensitizing the predominantly young female participants to realize that it is time to prevent divorce before it occurs, e.g. by calling for instilling the culture of dialogue in families and educational institutions as well as educating those about to get married on how to choose a suitable partner. Couples need to be realistic and aware that life is not easy and that joining two different people under one roof has its implications.

This workshop was organized in collaboration with “The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW)” and other women association in Jordan, lawyers, and human rights activist, women representative from the Jordanian Parliament and foreign women’s that are married to Jordanian. Women and youth girls from various villages surrounded Irbid, which are marginalized villages such as Kufer Assad, Kufer Alma, Kufer Youba, Kufer Abb, Howara, Hatrha, Kufer Assad, Koura and Jdita, participated.