Divorce cases on the rise with 890 cases last year alone; maximum divorces occurring in the first year of marriage

Divorce rates have seen an increase in the Kingdom with 1,890 cases registered last year alone, according to statistics obtained from Islamic courts. More than 80 per cent of the couples involved in divorce cases were Bahrainis (1,572 cases), the statistics says.

While men divorcing women accounted for 51.9pc of all cases, women divorcing men stood at 29pc during the last year. In 2016, 1,749 cases were reported. Maximum divorces occurred in the first year of marriages, which applied for couples belonging to various age groups.

Speaking to Tribune, relationship expert Khalil Al Attawi said the divorce rates in the Kingdom are much higher than reported and it can even go up to eight cases a day. “The high rate of divorce in the first year of marriage is due to lack of emotional communication among the couples. Emotional compatibility is must to sustain relationships.”

Mr Al Attawi explained that there are many stages in a relationship beginning with acquaintance. “During the initial stages of their relationships, both men and women should try to understand positive and negative factors in them.

These understandings would destroy their egos in turn leading to a long-term relationship.” Mr Al Attawi said mutual trust is also an important variable when it comes to sustaining the relationship.