Episode #38: Dr. Leyla Hussein

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’. 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.

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.

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