COMPATIBILITY across various levels such as education, age and understanding, and a robust financial management plan were deemed critical for the pro-longed success of marriages.
The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) recently issued a guide for people planning to get married and briefing Bahraini youth about marital rights and duties.
According to SCW Women Support Centre head Abeer Daham, the guide is now in its third edition.
“With the technological changes that have occurred across the world – especially the power of social media disseminating unclear information – we wanted to create a comprehensive guide with all the necessary information,” she said during a live Instagram event.
“Marriage is a life-changing decision that requires wisdom and careful thought; many factors must be taken into account.”
The guide introduces the Bahraini youth to social foundations critical to the success of a marriage such as taking responsibility, constructive conversation, mutual respect, joint sacrifices in addition to co-operation and sharing.
It stresses the importance of conducting a medical check-up prior to marriage in addition to taking into account compatibility regarding age, level of education, economic status and shared understanding of duties and rights when choosing a partner.
“The guide is written in a simple language. However, it is a rich document that presents comprehensively all the necessary information required to make an informed decision,” added Ms Daham.
“It also outlines the legal aspects of marriage, in addition to other questions that may arise.
“It also details the aid and support that Bahrain provides Bahraini families in order to facilitate their lives.”
She stressed the importance of taking into account all factors – such as place of residence, thought process, education and other factors – before tying the knot.
Ms Daham said compatibility was critical to ensure a successful, happy and long marriage, while also ensuring honest communication channels remain open between the two parties.
“Another key point that we highlighted was about saving money as couples embark on a new life with new responsibilities.
“Savings are a safety valve and net for families and I urge the youth planning to get married to devise a financial plan for their future families in the case of any emergency.
“Many of the problems that we face at the centre aren’t caused by the husband’s limited income but because of an inability to properly save and manage the salary.”
Last year’s statistics published by the Information and eGovernment Authority revealed that 172,273 Bahrainis above the age of 15 have never been married (94,049 males and 78,224 females), 283,314 were married (146,494 males and 136,820 females) while 22,390 were divorced and 17,626 widowed.
Meanwhile, 359,254 expatriates were never married, 340,303 married, 2,594 divorced and 1,608 widowed in Bahrain as of 2020.
A list of key family guidance offices and phone numbers – both public and private – is also provided in the guide.
An electronic copy of the book is available on www.scw.bh
&uuid=(email))