Discussing religion and divorce with Dr. Leyla Hussein

In this episode Kate is joined by Dr. Leyla Hussein to discuss how religion impacts divorce.

Released: 24 November 2021
Updated: 1 April 2025
30 MIN
#38
Separation stories

In this episode Kate is joined by Dr. Leyla Hussein to discuss how religion impacts divorce.

About the episode:

In this episode, Kate and Leyla discuss the challenges surrounding her divorce, given her Somali and her husband’s Kenyan heritage as well as why she thinks society should change the narrative around divorce through education and the promotion of healthy relationships. Leyla also discussed why she has chosen to host divorce parties as a form of celebration for her friends.

Please note: this episode was recorded before the introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales, and may mention the previous legal system. For accurate information on the legal process of divorce, please visit amicable.co.uk

About our guests:

Dr. Leyla Hussein went through her own Islamic divorce over 15 years ago, and has since spoken out about her marriage, her difficult divorce, finding happiness after divorce and ‘divorce parties’.

Leyla is a psychotherapist, specialising in supporting survivors of sexual abuse. She is an international lecturer on female genital mutilation (FGM) and speaker on gender rights. She is recognised as one of the key experts on this issue globally and is a leading and award-winning international campaigner against all forms of violence against women and girls. Leyla founded The Dahlia Project, the UK’s first specialist therapeutic service for FGM survivors. In 2020, she was elected as Rector of the University of St Andrews for a three-year term, making history as the first Black woman to hold the position. She currently works as the Global Advocacy Director and Deputy Team Leader for the Africa-led Movement to End FGM. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

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