Valentine’s Day, often associated with love and romance, has taken on a different meaning for some—particularly for family law attorneys handling divorce and alimony cases.
Egyptian lawyer Noha El Gendy has drawn mixed reactions after announcing a 40% discount on her legal fees for khula (wife-initiated divorce) cases in observance of Valentine’s Day, Gulf News reported. She shared the offer on Facebook, framing it as a way to help women in difficult marriages, wishing her followers a “happy Valentine’s Day” while promoting the initiative.
The announcement quickly ignited debate. While some criticized her for allegedly encouraging divorce, others praised her for providing financial relief to women seeking to leave troubled relationships.
El Gendy later clarified that this was not a new initiative but part of her ongoing efforts to support women in distress. In Egypt, Muslim women can file for khula if their marriage is deemed unbearable, though they must forfeit financial rights and return the dowry as part of the legal process.