Kuwait City, 7 April 2025: Increasing conflicts between spouses and broken relationships have become a major challenge for families around the world today. Kuwait is no exception to this problem, where divorce rates are rising rapidly. Mashal Al-Mishaal, head of the Family Disputes Specialist Department at the Kuwait Ministry of Justice, dug into the roots of this crisis and said that there are ten major reasons behind divorce, and the top of them is lack of communication between spouses. But this is just the beginning—issues such as social media addiction, lack of respect and infidelity are also breaking up families.
Ten reasons for divorce, communication is the biggest
Mashaal Al-Mishaal revealed in a recent interview that poor communication is the biggest reason for divorce. She says, “Lack of communication between spouses is the first step to a rift in a relationship. It has decreased a bit in recent years, but it still remains the biggest reason.” Apart from this, she also pointed to other reasons for divorce-lack of respect, infidelity, indiscriminate use of social media and addiction. A special trend has also been observed among foreign workers, which is called ‘divorce for harm’. In this, one party divorces after returning to their country, leaving the other party in trouble.

The department’s figures tell the gravity of this problem. Last year in 2024, 1,443 couples came to the department for divorce, but these cases were resolved through reconciliation efforts. Mashal emphasizes, “Children should never be used as a weapon of pressure or revenge between parents. Our aim is to save the family and prevent relationships from breaking.”

Social media: The new enemy of relationships

The increasing presence of social media in modern life is also becoming a major cause of divorce. The habit of spending hours on the phone has almost eliminated face-to-face conversation between husband and wife. Lara Ahmed, a housewife from Kuwait, sharing her story says, “My husband was busy on social media all day. He did not have time to listen to me. Slowly our relationship became hollow.” Experts believe that this is not just a problem of Kuwait, but an example of the growing distance in families globally.

Aware society, efforts for reconciliation

Mashaal Al-Mishaal is satisfied that Kuwait’s society is aware. She says, “Here people come to seek help before problems increase. Many times divorce cases are presented in an exaggerated manner, which is wrong. Our department tries to resolve the dispute at the initial stage itself.” Before starting the divorce process in Kuwait, couples have to go through the Family Dispute Resolution Department. If reconciliation does not happen, the matter goes to court, where experts find a solution through advice and mediation.

The department’s ‘Wafa’ program is also an important step in this direction. It teaches couples about responsibilities and possible problems before marriage. “Pre-marital awareness reduces the risk of divorce. This program helps young people build a strong relationship foundation,” says Mashal.

The pain and support after divorce

Divorce is not just a paperwork process, but an emotional storm. Kuwait’s Department of Family Disputes Specialists is supporting people in this difficult time. Emotional support has been arranged especially for children, so that they can overcome the impact of parental separation. Fatima, a divorced mother, says, “I was devastated after the divorce, but the department’s counseling gave me and my children new hope.”

Struggle to save the family

The rising divorce rates in Kuwait are a matter of concern, but society and the government are united against it. Mashal believes that the future of children depends on the strength of the relationship between parents. She advises, “Even after divorce, parents should maintain a respectful relationship for the children.” This is not only important for the emotional health of children, but also strengthens the foundation of society.

Misuse of social media and lack of communication have pushed families in Kuwait into a new crisis. But with awareness and the right steps, it is possible to overcome this challenge. Mashal’s message is clear—to save relationships, communication and respect must be maintained.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Contact an expert for family counseling.