The rising cases of divorce in Nigeria
The recent announcement by popular musician, Tuface Idibia, that he is getting a divorce from his wife Anne, has brought the conversation about divorce back to prominence. There is a growing divorce rate in Nigerian marriages which has its effects on society.
A report from divorce.com shows that out of 26 countries, Nigeria has the 11th highest divorce rate, and the report showed that women in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, are more actively involved in filing for divorce compared to men.
The report claimed that Nigeria’s divorce rate reached 2.9 per cent in 2023 based on available data on marriage and divorce, which translates to 1.8 per cent divorces per 1,000 people in the same year.
Of the countries with the highest divorce rate, Maldives tops the list with 5.52 percent of divorce cases while India has the lowest rate at 0.01 percent.
Research shows that some of the factors fueling divorces include lack of trust, infidelity, domestic violence, communication problems, lack of commitment, financial problems, substance abuse, intimacy issues, constant arguing and incompatibility.
However, India has the lowest divorce rates because marriage is highly valued, and divorce has historically been stigmatised, which has created intense social pressure to maintain the marriage, even in the face of difficulties.
Fewer Married Women
While the report shows that most women are the initiators of divorce, UN data revealed that West Africa, Eastern Africa, and Middle Africa have decreased the number of married women in unions across the globe.
West Africa experienced the largest decline in the number of married women, with a 5% decrease over ten years from 2010 to 2020. Middle Africa and Eastern Africa followed, with a 3.3% decrease in the share of married women in Eastern Africa and a 3.2% decline in Middle Africa.
On the other hand, Northern Africa and Eastern Asia are the only regions that had an increase in the share of women who are married from 2010 to 2020.
Reducing the Growing Number of Divorces
Studies reveal that divorce can lead to all sorts of psychological and behavioural problems in children. It can cause them to have relational issues with their parents, siblings, and others due to their fear of abandonment. Also, divorce can be detrimental to the health of separated spouses.
An increasing number of children across the world experience family instability due to divorce/separation and the consequences of non‐marital childbearing/cohabitation.
It can be a difficult time for a family. Not only are the parents realizing new ways of relating to each other, but they are learning new ways to parent their children. When parents divorce, the effects of divorce on children can vary. Some children react to divorce in a natural and understanding way, while other children may struggle with the transition.
However, there are ways couples can make their marriage stronger instead of opting for divorce as proffering solutions will make their marriage even stronger.
First, seeking marriage counseling is proven to improve physical and emotional intimacy, increase communication, and establish an overall better connection between spouses, which enables couples to find divorce solutions.
Also, every couple should take accountability seriously. It is advisable to look out for some other married couples who can help to hold you accountable as well.
Everyone needs friends and mentors who can serve as a support system, and this is especially the case when it comes to married people.
Sometimes, couples see divorce as their only solution because they don’t have others around them to remind them that there are other solutions to divorce, ones that usually prove to be far better.
Thanks for reading this edition of SenorRita. It was written by Kafilat Taiwo and edited by Joachim MacEbong.
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