House Rep. Suleiman El Emeiry has requested that the government draft a bill that would impose greater restrictions on women’s ability to initiate divorces in Egypt through “khula,” which allows them to lawfully end their marriage without permission from their husband, Al Mal reports. Women who initiate khula are also required to forfeit their financial rights, including alimony, in the divorce. According to El Emeiry, granting women this right has resulted in a higher divorce rate, which the government should seek to reduce once again. Cabinet spokesperson Nader Saad had said last month that the government is preparing an initiative to encourage couples to stay together rather than seek divorce, as one fifth of marriages in Egypt end within the first three years.

Tags: