Saudi- Proposal seeks to streamline divorces 

(MENAFN - Arab News) A charitable society has made a proposal to the government to streamline divorce procedures in the Kingdom in order to protect the rights of men, women and children involved in such cases.

Princess Sarah bint Musaed, chairperson of Mawaddah Charitable Society, said her organization had proposed to set up specialized offices to study the situation of those applying for divorce at civil courts.

Mawaddah also proposed the establishment of support service centers to handle divorce cases and the formation of a state-owned fund to collect alimony and distribute the amount among the deserved.

Saudi Arabia has one of the largest divorce rates in the world. Last year, as many as 3,829 cases were reported in Makkah province, 3,061 cases in the Eastern Province, 1,986 cases in Madinah province, 1,469 cases in Qassim, and 684 cases in Riyadh.

Mawaddah proposed the new project as part of its efforts to reduce the number of divorce cases in the country by helping couples to reconcile before they take a final decision to separate. It has been supported by a number of charitable organizations in this venture.

Princess Sarah highlighted the problems caused by divorce to members of a family, especially women and children. She said her organization took two years to prepare the study with the support of experts. The third chapter of the study highlights the problems being faced by the Saudi society as a result of the growing number of divorce cases.