Nizwa: With an aim to curb alarming increase in the number of divorces in Oman, the Ministry of Social Development is organising several premarital counselling workshops across the country to educate youths about marriage, family responsibilities, financial planning and raising children. This also includes medical tests to reduce the spread of genetic blood disorders and other inherited conditions.
The Department of Family Development at the Ministry of Social Development, in cooperation with Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, recently organised this awareness programme in Al Dakhiliyah Municipality building hall.
Dr Kafala bint Hamoud al Omairi, head of the Marriage Counselling Team in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, presented a number of sessions on family relations, marital compatibility, and the foundations for building happy and stable families.
She also talked about the importance of dialogue among spouses, how to face marital challenges and disputes, and the skills for managing stress. The sessions also touched on rights of women and principles of family life.
Fadel bin Abdullah al Shezawi, Director-General of Social Development, said during the launch of the programme: "The idea of allocating a team for marital counselling came after the increase in divorce cases. Divorce rates have increased due to several changes that occurred in the family. The idea of training those about to get married in the Sultanate of Oman emerged through national programmes to emphasise the importance of family cohesion and stability. The number of beneficiaries of this programme has reached more than 20,000.
According to NCSI statistics, 3,837 divorce cases have been filed in the country, an average of 10 cases every day and an increase of 12 per cent or 411 cases in 2021 compared to the year before 2020. Reports said that 67 per cent of the divorce cases were initiated by women.
In 2020, divorce rates in Oman also rose by almost 50 per cent, compared to the previous year, with pressures caused by the pandemic thought to be the main cause.
At least 3,426 divorce certificates were issued in Oman in 2020, which came up to about nine a day. Muscat recorded the highest number of divorces, at 796, followed by North Al Batinah (672), while Musandam had the lowest number of divorces (18).
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