Public Perception on Acceptability or Stigmatization of Khula in Pakistan

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate and analyze the prevalent public perceptions about divorce and khula and its stigmatization that influence Pakistani society; to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the pervasive stigma informing policy interventions and promoting societal reforms. A survey questionnaire was employed to collect data from a representative multistage clustered randomized sample consisting upon the adult population of District Mandi Bahauddin aged 18 or older. Data was statistically analyzed by using SPSS version 27; indicating that there are significant differences in public perceptions about khula, divorce and its stigmatization. Specifically, divorce and Khula were found to be temperately acceptable in Pakistani society, respectively). On the other hand, stigmatization was pervasive, particularly among those with higher levels of education. Khula-seekers are rejected and discriminated more than men who seek divorce by-law. The study also found a low mean for social acceptability of divorce and Khula (M=2.17, SD=0.67) and relatively higher mean for stigmatization (M=4.74, SD=0.67). The analysis of the collected data showed that there is statistical significance between public perception and acceptability of Khula and divorce with t-value of 218.02, df of 4564. The stigmatization of these phenomena was also rounded strong, with a t-value 513,26 and with df 4564. This they did by showing that the rates of stigmatization of divorce and Khula have reached alarming proportionity as it trends above the acceptable universal level This is an advocacy for a multidimensionality approach by future researchers and policy makers in their academic and governmental discourses on the subject matter as they relate to Pakistan. This study shows that it is common and almost expected for divorce and Khula to be stigmatized in Pakistan. Implication of these finding is significant for policymakers, scholars, and social reformist struggling to address the discursive processes that devalue the worth and rights of women and men struggling with divorce or Khula.