Common Factors Contributing to Divorce among Couples in Zanzibar

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to assess assessed common factors contributing to divorce among couples in Zanzibar. The study employed a qualitative research approach where by interview and documentary reviews were used as a method of data collection. A total of 35 participants involved in this study, where by 30 participants were divorced men and women who were obtained through snowball sampling and five Kadhis who were purposely selected from both Unguja and Pemba districts. Thematic analysis procedure was applied to analyze data. The study found that there is a high prevalence of divorce among Zanzibar couples. The interviewees were particularly concerned about the overwhelming number of divorces which was on a steady uptrend. The study identifies factors which lead to the rate of divorce in Zanzibar and found that lack of tolerance among the couples, family interference of their children marriage, psychological and emotional abuse were the major common factors contributing to divorce among couples in Zanzibar. The study concluded that divorce problem is at larger extent and participants are aware of the magnitude of the divorce and it occurs every day and everywhere in Zanzibar. Thus this is a serious problem among young couples and children. In addition, family interference of children marriage and social networking, immaturity, sexual dissatisfaction, psychological and emotional abuse, drug abuse, poverty, belief on financial expenditure, financial stress contributes more to divorce among Zanzibar people. This leads to majority of young couples to face frequently fights in their marriages hence influencing divorce.