By Faris Al-Qahtani

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — A number of Shoura Council members have proposed monetary compensation to be paid to divorced women.

Shoura members Iqbal Darandari, Sultanah Al-Badawi and Ahlam Al-Hikmi submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Justice in this regard. The council will discuss the proposal after the Eid vacation.

The proposal was drafted after a rising number of women were found to be suffering from financial difficulties after divorce. Saudi women normally receive financial support from their husbands during their marriage but once they are divorced and their husbands get married to other women, they deny their ex-wives any kind of aid.

Moreover, the wife is not the one who owns the property deeds of the family. Once she is divorced, the husband keeps the property and the wife is left with no place to stay. A housewife dedicates her entire time to her house and children and that is considered an investment.

Many developed countries entitle the woman a share of her husband’s income throughout the years of marriage and gives her a right of inheritance even after divorce.

Shoura member Darandari supported the proposal with a recommendation to the ministry to cease accepting complaints against women who run away or disobey their families because such complaints are used to portray a demonizing and dishonorable image of them in divorce suits.

She added that many families and husbands use that legal leverage to threaten women and curb them from seeking divorce in court. "The Kingdom must work on improving its international image and its human rights status. Effective solutions must be found," said Darandari.