CAIRO, November 25, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Shouldering its social responsibilities, IslamOnline.net has launched a Web page dedicated to offering psychological and social assistance to divorced women, the first of its kind in the Arab world.

Called "Divorcees' Club-Support", the page saw the light of day Wednesday, November 23, as part of IOL's social and family online services. The club offers a meeting place for divorced Arab women around the world.

An IOL poll has showed the idea of having clubs for divorced women was not popular.

But social activist Ghada Ahmed, who is championing the idea, believes otherwise.

"Some opponents of the service consider it an attempt that further alienates divorced women from their societies," Ghada told IOL Thursday, November 24.

"But any new idea in the Arab world is always met with opposition," said Ahmed, adding" I believe divorced women are already alienated by their societies."

"Once a married women gets a divorce in the Arab world, she is forced into isolation," she added.

Women are always prime suspect of causing divorce in the Arab world, a situation Ahmed was altogether against considering it biased.

"Such unfair accusations place a burden on women, finding herself finally cornered.

"The club is an attempt to absorb a wide bracket in the Arab world deprived of support, subject to either covetous or suspicious looks," according to the sociologist.

The Web page is aimed at helping divorced women exchange experience, get advice and speak to specialists.

Teams are formed to provide psychological and social assistance to divorced women, in addition to a legal team who will provide technical advice to them, according to the social activist.

As regards financial support, Ghada said it may also be provided in the near future, depending on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) adopting such an initiative.

Arab communities abroad are invited to set up similar clubs as divorced women around the world have the same difficulties.

Over the past few years, the number of divorcees has hiked to unprecedented figures in the Arab world. In Egypt, for example, there are 2,458,000 divorced women and in Saudi Arabia there is a divorce case every 40 minutes.

Some 73,62% of participants in the IOL poll said they were against the idea of setting up clubs for divorced women, with only 6.38% supporting it.

Omar, a male participant in the poll said he agreed, once a club for divorced men was also established.

Dr. Doaa, a female voter, said such clubs would further isolate divorced women from their societies.

"The best help for the divorced woman is to integrate into the society and participate in social activities, including voluntary work in religious domains or political ones," according to her.