In order to address the dramatic increase in the rate of divorce in Saudi Arabia, Al-Shaqa'iq Women's Society here is conducting a course to acquaint 45 young women about the rights and responsibilities of married life. Recently married women are among those who attend the course aimed at addressing the issues involved in marital happiness and the problems and lack of understanding which lead to almost a third of marriages in the Kingdom ending in divorce. Ebtisam Banouna, a social instructor and trainer, said that if young men and women realized their marital rights they would enjoy happy marriages. She emphasized that marriage in Islam is a strong contract by which families are formed. “Islam views the family as the foundation on which society is built,” Banouna said. She added that understanding and honoring the rights of both marriage partners was an important factor leading to happiness and stability. “A lack of understanding can create a gap between couples which can eventually lead them to contemplate separation.” According to Banouna, family conflict also results in giving the younger generation a bad image about marriage. “Children are always the victims of unstable parental relations. We are trying to protect future wives from entering into marriages which end in separation, and to prepare them to produce future generations who do not automatically turn to divorce as a means of conflict resolution.” The training program emphasizes the fact that husbands also have their rights. “A successful wife needs to understand that she must honor her husband's rights, and a wise husband will know how to respect his wife and do everything he can to make her content,” Banouna said. A number of students attending the course said that it had helped them change their ideas about marital life. “I can now say that I have a totally new, positive outlook and feel ready for marriage,” Fatima, a trainee, commented. Another trainee said that she had had a negative image about husbands, but she now changed her mind. “It is clear that I have been badly informed about marriage, but this course has cleared up a lot of misconceptions,” Aseel said. Al-Shaqa'iq Women's Society was established six years ago under the honorary presidency of the late Prince Abdulmajeed Bin Abdul Aziz, former Emir of the Makkah region. The Arabic name “Shaqa'iq” means “sisters of the same father and mother” reflecting the strong ties between members of the Society. The Society, which works under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Affairs, has members from all segments of the community: scholars, academicians, business people, government officials, and educationists. The main objectives of the Society are to increase the social awareness of future wives, create effective programs for girls, and train teachers to guide and educate society. __
