In recent years, due to the increase in the volume of divorce cases in the courts, we have witnessed the lengthening of the processing of these cases and the challenges that people face with this issue; the challenges are not limited to the delay of the proceedings, and other issues also occur during the course of the proceedings. The aim of the research is to examine the proceedings process and the challenges that women typically face in this process; by examining the challenges and interviewing Tehrani women, we seek to increase people's knowledge and awareness of the proceedings process so that they can go through this process quickly and safely. This research is qualitative and uses the narrative analysis method. To collect information, we used semi-structured interviews and, with the help of purposeful sampling, 15 women were interviewed. The findings are categorized into four sections: the situation of starting family life, the situation of deciding to separate, the situation of the divorce proceedings, and the situation of legal conflict for separation; In the first situation, how the couple met was examined; in the second situation, points were made about addiction, infidelity, and the spouse's mental and sexual disorders; in the third situation, the delay of the proceedings, patriarchal laws, the behavior of the judicial forces, and related matters were explored; and in the last situation, the consensual separation, the forgiveness of dowry, and the feedback of individuals from the proceedings were examined. The results show that having a lawyer, family support, the delay of the proceedings, the way women speak, and the presence of women in court sessions have an impact on the process of divorce cases and proceedings.



Extended Abstract

1. Introduction

Divorce is a social phenomenon present in all societies and exerts diverse effects on both family and societal life. While it may serve as a means to terminate undesirable marital relationships, it also constitutes a significant social issue with the potential to disrupt the psychological and social well-being of spouses, children, and extended families. This study aims to explore the quality of women's experiences during divorce proceedings in Tehran. These experiences encompass interactions with legal actors as well as encounters with the legal structures governing family litigation. Key areas of focus include the transformation of disputes into financial claims, the burden of material and moral costs, delays in legal proceedings, and referrals to consultation or arbitration. The interconnected nature of family lawsuits also reflects structural dimensions of the legal system. Furthermore, issues such as the instrumentalization of children, limited access to legal knowledge, and the conduct of court personnel and other stakeholders involved in the litigation process are noteworthy and merit critical examination. Collectively, these elements reflect the lived realities of women navigating the divorce process—many of whom have encountered one or more of these challenges. Analyzing and synthesizing these experiences can offer valuable insights for improving the legal and social frameworks that support women in similar circumstances. According to studies conducted in Iran, the most prevalent cause of divorce is the lack of mutual understanding and effective communication between spouses, with most divorces occurring within the first five years of marriage. According to statistics published by the Civil Registration Organization in 2019, the number of registered marriages this year was 556,731, which is an increase of about 4.4 percent compared to 2019; however, the number of registered divorces this year also increased significantly, and despite the number of 183,193 registered divorces in 2019, the divorce rate in Iran was about 3.6 percent compared to 2019. In fact, for every 3 marriages registered in 2019, one divorce was also registered, and the marriage-to-divorce ratio in the country is 3 to 1. Most of these divorces belong to couples who have been married for between 1 and 5 years. A statistical look at marriages in the spring and summer of 1401 shows that: According to the country's civil registration statistics, in the first 6 months of 1401, 225,068 marriages and 94,288 divorces were registered throughout the country, with Tehran leading the way in both cases. While economic hardship and personal challenges remain significant contributing factors, disparities in spousal rights within the context of divorce undoubtedly influence this phenomenon. In the current legal framework, women possess the right to terminate their marriage through any legally recognized means and to claim the entitlements afforded to them by law. This situation does not necessarily reflect an imbalance in the rights of men and women in matters of divorce; on the contrary, it may even yield empowering outcomes for women.



2. Methodology

The present study focuses on examining women's lived experiences of the divorce proceedings in Tehran. What distinguishes this research is its exploration of how women navigate the journey of marital breakdown and legal separation, shedding light on the subjective realities they encounter throughout this process. By conceptualizing divorce as a process rather than a singular event, the study acknowledges the multifaceted and evolving nature of the phenomenon. At each stage of married life, individuals make decisions to either sustain or terminate the relationship, guided by their values, emotional experiences, and rational judgments. Given the study’s emphasis on the lived experiences of women undergoing divorce in Tehran, and employing a thematic analysis approach, the research seeks to address the following questions:

1. How did divorced women in Tehran initiate their journey toward divorce?

2. What circumstances and events led them to the decision to separate from their husbands?

3. What stages did they undergo within the legal and social frameworks to finalize this decision?

Accordingly, this research centers on the lived experiences of women who have pursued legal separation from their husbands through the courts in Tehran. These experiences encompass not only the formal judicial process but also the challenges and difficulties encountered by women throughout the course of divorce. The primary objective of this study is twofold. First, it aims to analyze the legal, social, and other contextual factors that influenced both the decision to divorce and the subsequent legal process. Second, it seeks to capture women's personal experiences across the stages of separation—from the cessation of cohabitation to narrating their life stories and the realities of post-divorce life. By examining the diverse ways in which women narrate their life stories across various circumstances, valuable insights can be gained into the strengths and weaknesses of legal rights and their implementation within the divorce process. Ultimately, these personal accounts can be organized into a coherent chronological framework, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences associated with the journey toward divorce.



3. Findings

Through analysis of the interview data, the findings were categorized into four main themes: the circumstances surrounding the beginning of family life, the decision-making phase leading to separation, the experience of the divorce proceedings, and the legal struggles involved in obtaining a separation. Each of these themes includes several subcategories, with specific issues illustrated through relevant excerpts from the interviews.

In the first theme, the manner in which the couples initially met was explored. The second theme addressed factors such as addiction, infidelity, and the spouse’s mental and sexual health disorders. The third theme investigated the formal initiation of legal proceedings, the influence of patriarchal laws, the behavior of judicial personnel, and related institutional dynamics. Finally, the fourth theme focused on consensual divorces, dowry forgiveness, and the personal reflections of individuals on the legal process.



4. Conclusion

The results revealed that variables such as access to legal representation, family support, the duration of court proceedings, women's verbal expression, and their presence in court sessions significantly influence the progression and outcome of divorce trials.