Skip to main content

'Part-time marriage' provokes controversy in Egypt

A lawyer proposes “part-time marriage” as a way to marry off thousands of divorced and unmarried women in Egypt.
Palestinian designer from the al-Ashi family checks a wedding gown as it is being steamed at their atelier in Gaza City on June 3, 2013.

Abeer Ahmed, 48, balked at a proposal by her neighbor to be a “part-time” wife to a wealthy husband to help her provide for her two young girls.

“After my husband’s sudden death six years ago, my neighbor told me about her rich relative who wants to marry me provided that he will only spend a few days with me every month in return for taking care of the expenses of my family. I rejected her proposal outright,” Ahmed, a housewife, told Al-Monitor.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.