Is divorce a stigma or a salvation in Syrian society?

Is divorce a stigma or a salvation in Syrian society?

“I thought divorce would be a relief, but it has become a heavy burden on me,” says Haya, the young rural woman who married at the age of 15. Her marriage resulted in a son and a daughter, but it didn’t last long as they separated after six years.

She couldn’t cope with her husband’s addiction to drugs, which led to constant humiliation and physical abuse. After the divorce, she settled with her father and mother, but they couldn’t accept the idea. “They considered me a threat,” she says. Afterward, she decided to live independently with her children and started working from home to provide for herself and her kids.

The label “divorced” still carries many preconceived notions in society, often associated with rebellion, selfishness, and a lack of patience. Many expect women to endure whatever they face, while considering it an absolute right for the husband.