Breaking Silence: Understanding rising causes of divorce in Gujrat

Dr. Shoaib
In the heart of Punjab, the historic city of Gujrat has witnessed a quiet but steady transformation in social structures and family life. Among the most telling indicators of this shift is the growing rate of divorces, once a rare and socially stigmatized occurrence, now becoming an increasingly discussed and contested reality. According to recent records from the local Union Councils in Gujrat district, the number of registered divorces has shown a noticeable increase over the past decade. It is important to mention here that no central database exists that captures the full extent of the phenomenon, anecdotal evidence from family courts, legal professionals, and social welfare departments paints a revealing picture. Sociologists and legal experts point to a range of interwoven factors behind the rise in marital breakdowns in Gujrat. It is worth to mention here that economic hardship and changing gender roles along with other interlinked factors dominate the conversation, deeper cultural transformations are also at play.
In Gujrat, a city known for its enterprising spirit and a long history of overseas migration particularly to Europe and the Middle East, a quiet social crisis is unfolding behind closed doors. The remittances from expatriate men sustain thousands of households, a growing number of marriages are collapsing due to prolonged spousal separation, trust deficits, and the emotional vacuum created by distance. Recent reports from family courts in Gujrat reveal a rising trend: women filing for khula (separation) from husbands working abroad, especially in countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, and the UAE. Experts, legal professionals, and social workers agree that the absence of husbands for years at a stretch is becoming the single most significant factor contributing to the breakdown of marriages in the district.
One of the most frequently cited causes is financial instability. As inflation surges and job opportunities become scarce especially for young men households face mounting pressures. “Unemployment and lack of consistent income are leading to frustration, arguments, and ultimately, separation,” explains Advocate, a family lawyer based in Gujrat city. In many cases, the burden falls disproportionately on men, whose inability to fulfill traditional breadwinning roles creates friction and feelings of inadequacy. “The economic struggle often turns into emotional abuse or neglect, which pushes women to seek divorce,” he adds.
Another prominent cause, particularly in joint family systems common in Gujrat, is the interference of in-laws especially mothers-in-law. Many women report experiencing psychological stress, restrictions on mobility, and conflicts over household roles and decision-making. One of the affected female, a 28-year-old woman who filed for khula (a woman-initiated divorce) last year, shared: “My husband never supported me when his mother humiliated me daily. I felt like a maid, not a wife.” Stories like hers are common, highlighting how strained extended family dynamics contribute to marital breakdown.
Despite growing awareness, early and arranged marriages without proper compatibility assessments remain prevalent. Many such unions are based on family alliances, economic exchanges, or cousin ties, with little consideration for mutual consent or psychological maturity. “Teenage girls married off too much older men, or cousins with clashing temperaments, often come to us seeking relief after enduring years of misery,” says by a counselor working with a women’s rights NGO in the region.
Modernity has brought mobile phones and social media into even the most rural corners of Gujrat. But while digital communication has expanded, emotional communication within marriages appears to have shrunk. Couples report a lack of understanding, companionship, and shared vision. “There is often no platform or skill set to handle disagreements constructively,” says by a psychologist. “Most couples are never taught how to manage conflict, express affection, or negotiate roles.”
Domestic violence including physical, emotional, and financial remains a grim but major driver of divorce. Legal reforms and awareness campaigns have empowered more women to seek khula, but many still face resistances from their families and social networks when attempting to leave abusive relationships. “Patriarchal norms often expect women to ‘adjust’ and stay silent,” says by a gender studies expert. “But with growing literacy and exposure, women are beginning to say ‘enough is enough.”
Divorce is slowly shedding its taboo status among the younger and more educated population, it remains heavily stigmatized especially for women. Divorced women often face social isolation, limited remarriage prospects, and character judgment. “The burden of shame still falls largely on women,” says by a social worker in Jalalpur Jattan. “Even when they are the victims, society blames them for ‘breaking the home.”
However, social media platforms, support groups, and legal aid centers are helping some women rebuild their lives post-divorce. Young men, too, are beginning to voice dissatisfaction with toxic marital expectations, though their experiences remain less discussed. Experts emphasize the need for a multi-level response to the rising divorce rates:
Premarital counseling and awareness programs to foster informed marital decisions.
Legal literacy campaigns to inform citizens especially women of their rights.
Reform in family court processes to make them more accessible and less adversarial.
Educational curricula that promote gender equality, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution.
Gujrat’s rising divorce rate is not merely a symptom of failing marriages. It is a reflection of broader societal transformation. As economic conditions, gender roles, and cultural values evolve, so too must the institutions and mindsets that support family life. The question is not how to stop divorces altogether, but how to ensure that marriages, when they do take place, are based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the emotional well-being of both partners.