New programme launched to help newlyweds to strengthen marital relations

The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), in cooperation with an elite group of consultants, educators, and counselors, and the Family Counseling Center (Wefaq), will launch a national project to train and qualify trainers for the First Year of Marriage programme, on May 6.

The First Year of Marriage program aims to help those about to get married and newlyweds and prepare them for married life by providing them with knowledge and experiences that enhance their abilities, develop their skills, support them in the process of selection and marital communication, and provide them with awareness to deal with life’s challenges.

In a statement on Sunday, the MSDF said that the program will witness the participation of an elite group of family relations specialists in 30 training hours across 15 training workshops, each workshop not less than two hours long.

The programme aims to provide trainers with the necessary skills to offer advice to newly married people.
The ministry pointed out that the components of the First Year of Marriage training program include family values, sound marital choice, building strong marital relationships, five marriage challenges, and preparation for the practical application of the standards and tests included in the training package.

The ministry noted that this programme also contributes to enhancing couples’ understanding of each other during the first year of marriage and being able to understand the foundations, principles, and skills of the First Year of Marriage program, which is presented to various target groups, and learning about the principles, developments, and challenges of family guidance and counseling in light of contemporary educational and social difficulties as well as the basics of dealing with it.

The course targets those working in the field of Sharia and family justice and those working in the fields of family guidance and counseling, as well as marital and family training, in addition to psychological and social counselors and specialists.

Certified trainers will offer approaches and strategies in dealing with the common challenges that couples face during the first year of marriage.

Family and educational advisor Dr. Issa Al Horr stressed that this program is a commitment to strengthening marital relations and supporting society in building strong families. He expected that the course would result in the graduation of 40 family counselors accredited by the MSDF.