Manama: Around 40 per cent of Kuwait's divorce cases occur within the first year of marriage, a justice ministry study shows.
According to the study that covered the last ten years, 28 per cent of the divorce cases happen less than one year after the marriage and 39 per cent by the end of the first year.
Religious figures and activists have sounded the alarm over Kuwait's rising divorce rates and urged more action and awareness campaigns to tackle the issue, Al Siyassah daily reported.
According to the justice ministry, Kuwait has recorded 5,192 divorce cases this year, 138 more than in 2009.
"The number should be brought down through reinforcing awareness among young people and promoting pro-family programmes," the study, prepared by Adel Al Filkawi, consultant at the Court of Appeals, said. "The media as well as civil societies should assume a greater role and deploy more efforts to help curb the rates."
The newspaper quoted Dr Adnan Al Shatti, a medical consultant, that 35 per cent of Kuwait's women are victims of domestic violence.
Many of the women who have reached outstanding positions suffer from violence, but do not wish to report it to avoid scandal, the consultant reportedly said.
