Happily never after: Fighting for the right to divorce in the Philippines

When he was elected president of the Philippines in 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr vowed to legalise divorce. The Catholic nation is the only country in the world, along with the Vatican, to ban it. Yet two years on, legislation has still not been passed. That could happen by the end of next year, now that a bill has been tabled in parliament. The move would be a dramatic one in this conservative country where the Catholic Church remains a powerful presence. It could bring freedom to tens of thousands of couples who want to end their marriage. Currently, they can only obtain an annulment – a process that takes several years and can sometimes cost more than $10,000. Legalising divorce could also bring an end to the ordeal faced by women who have suffered physical and psychological abuse from their husbands. Our team on the ground reports.

Jun 23, 2024 - 05:00
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Happily never after: Fighting for the right to divorce in the Philippines
When he was elected president of the Philippines in 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr vowed to legalise divorce. The Catholic nation is the only country in the world, along with the Vatican, to ban it. Yet two years on, legislation has still not been passed. That could happen by the end of next year, now that a bill has been tabled in parliament. The move would be a dramatic one in this conservative country where the Catholic Church remains a powerful presence. It could bring freedom to tens of thousands of couples who want to end their marriage. Currently, they can only obtain an annulment – a process that takes several years and can sometimes cost more than $10,000. Legalising divorce could also bring an end to the ordeal faced by women who have suffered physical and psychological abuse from their husbands. Our team on the ground reports.