KUCHING: There is a need to break the stigma on marriage counselling, said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Citing statistics from the Sarawak Syariah Judiciary Department, she said divorce cases among Muslim married couples had increased.
“In 2017, divorce cases decreased from 2,172 cases in 2016 to 2,054 cases.
“However, they increased to 2,761 cases in 2018,” she said in her speech at the Family Warrior Alumni Grand Dinner at a leading hotel here on Sunday night.
Highlighting the need to change the public’s mindset on marriage counselling, Fatimah said the counselling service should start from an early stage to help couples understand their disputes effectively.
“Divorce incidents are very unfortunate and need social intervention,” she said.
Fatimah added among the common reasons for married couples to divorce were lack of understanding and financial problems.
“Domestic violence, drug abuse and polygamy have also contributed to many divorce cases,” she said.
Fatimah added that lack in communication and empathy often led to misunderstandings and divorce.
