Director of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, Fazil al-Gharawi, has highlighted a concerning surge in divorce rates in the country over the last three years, posing a significant threat to families and society.
Al-Gharawi stated on Sunday that a staggering 143,000 divorces are expected to be recorded in Iraq in 2022 and 2023. In December alone, Iraqi courts processed over 7,000 divorce cases, with only 1,843 undergoing domestic trials and the remaining 5,610 settled out of court.
Citing reasons for the escalating divorce rates, Al-Gharawi pointed to a lack of cultural understanding and communication between spouses, alongside issues such as domestic violence, early marriage, economic hardships, rising cases of infidelity, and various other factors.
In response to this crisis, the director urged the Iraqi government and parliament to swiftly implement measures to curb the rising divorce rates. He suggested initiatives such as favorable economic proposals, enhanced job opportunities, and the provision of free housing for newlyweds, coupled with interest-free loans.
Al-Gharawi emphasized the need for a comprehensive religious and cultural awareness campaign to address the root causes of marital discord in the country.
