The Department of Applied Geography at the College of Education for the Humanities, University of Kerbala, organised a workshop titled “Strategies to Reduce Divorce Rates in Iraqi Society”. Asst. Lect. Turath Abdul-Kadhim Abdullah delivered the workshop and she targeted staff members, employees, and students of the department.
Moreover, the importance of this workshop lies in its aim at investigating one of the most pressing social issues— the rising divorce rates, which have become increasingly alarming, particularly after 2003, due to rapid social changes that have exacerbated the problem. Given the urgency of this issue, it is essential to scientifically identify the underlying causes of the increasing divorce rates to develop effective solutions aimed at mitigating its spread and rebuilding Iraqi families.
Additionally, the workshop intended to explore divorce as a social phenomenon and propose strategies to reduce its prevalence in Iraqi society. Also, several key topics were of interest in the workshop such as the definition and causes of divorce, and the strategies for mitigating divorce rates.
Finally, the workshop concluded with several key recommendations, including (i) amending divorce and reconciliation procedures in courts to allow couples more time for reflection and potential reconciliation, (ii) enhancing the role of social workers in courts by providing adequate facilities and allowing them to conduct multiple counselling sessions instead of a single session to explore possible solutions for reconciliation, and (iii) intensifying media awareness campaigns through various visual and audio platforms to educate the public on the dangers of divorce and its impact on families and society.
