Difi report outlines challenges faced by couples in first five years of marriage in Arab World

A report produced by Qatar Foundation’s Doha International Family Institute (Difi) and the General Secretariat of the League of the Arab States has outlined why marriages in the Arab world succeed and fail during their first five years, and the challenges couples face in the early stages of their married life.The report, titled ‘Marital Relationship Assessment in The First Five Years of Marriage in The Arab World’, contains factors to support stable marriages, policy recommendations, and programme intervention designed to help in addressing potential early-years problems in marital relations.Trends identified in the report – launched at an event in Cairo featuring experts from civil society organisations and the fields of social development and social policy – included that two-thirds of participants described their marriage experience as ‘fun’ and ‘satisfactory’. Meanwhile, 30% said they had experienced extra burdens, marital maladjustment, and responsibilities within the early years of marriage.As for the motives for marriage according to the sample members, family stability and childbearing came at 72.5%, followed by obtaining a lifelong companion at 39.2% and the search for financial and social security at 11.2%.It also found multiple reasons for conflicts in the relationship between newlyweds, including unexpected behaviours, disputes over parenting styles, and differences in perceptions and attitudes between wives and husbands, with respondents highlighting factors such as openness, a belief in the importance of family and its continuity, work-life balance, responsibility, mindful decisions and attitudes, and prospective planning.The study also presented the factors required to achieve stability in married life. Interest and good companionship came in at 72%, followed by mutual respect at 70%, bearing responsibilities 62%, love 51%, and partnership in household chores and expenses 31%.Policies recommended by the report included state institutions developing economic empowerment programmes for future spouses and newlyweds, covering housing, employment, social programmes, and marriage compensation funds; requesting prospective spouses to undergo medical examinations, including to assess their mental health, to avoid health concerns affecting marriage; and supporting parental and maternal leaves, access to workplace childcare, and flexible working hours for newlyweds and mothers.Ambassador Dr Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, assistant secretary general and head of the social affairs sector at the League of Arab States, urged Arab countries to intensify their efforts toward implementing effective strategies and programs promoting national capacities to address priorities related to family issues.Speaking about the importance of the study in supporting more sustainable and happy marriages for Arab couples and families, Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi, executive director, Difi, said: "This study is pioneering in two ways - first, it includes respondents from various Arab states; and second, it focuses on marital relations and offering efficient policy recommendations and interventions to support the continuity and sustainability of marriage.”Qatar’s ambassador to Egypt and representative to the League of Arab States, Tarek al-Ansari added: "Qatar’s efforts and initiatives to preserve the institution of the family are always continuous.”