Brain Stormer: More Divorce Among the Muslim Women

As per the Census data of 2011, the rate of divorce among the Muslim women is one of the highest in comparison to other religious groups. Further the Census shows that the married women belonging to the age group between 24-34 are most likely to be divorced in the community. The divorce in this category of age group is much higher in the Muslims than any other community in the country. The vulnerability of the Muslim women is due to the infamous ‘triple talaq’ which is still prevalent among the Muslims in the country.

Primarily, this leads to arbitrary divorce for a woman. The very sanctity of the ‘triple talaq’ has been in the public discourse and also in the apex court, so the hundreds of Muslim women who are divorced currently need to wait for a final call on the matter.

Besides, the Census of 2011 has also revealed surprising information which says that the number of divorces per 1000 married Muslim women was 5.63, well above the national average of 3.10. Whereas the divorce rate among the Hindu women was only 2.60, lower than the national average. At the same time, 44% divorced Muslim women belong to the age group 20-34. Today, looking at the vulnerability of Muslim women, the community elders must address the issue of divorce at the earliest. Experts and social activists widely call for a review and rather for an immediate abolishment of the oral triple talq. The need of the hour is to see that the Muslim personal law is reshaped to ensure justice for their huge womenfolk.

Giving the much needed breathing space to women, must come to the Muslim community as no less than a silent revolution, before it is too late. Time has come now to fight illiteracy and poverty which are critical problems encountered by the community for long. And sadly, Muslim women have largely remained the victims of these two evil forces for decades now. Muslim women should be given their due and they should not be fallen to the trap of divorce the way it is today.