Abstract:
Post-divorce conflict among ex-spouses has emerged as a significant concern in the rural
kebeles surrounding Bahir Dar City Administration. This study sought to explore the nature,
causes, and consequences of such conflicts using a qualitative approach and a case study design.
Participants were selected purposively and included seven divorced men and women for in-depth
interviews, along with three key informants knowledgeable about family and divorce-related
issues. Data collection methods comprised both in-depth and key informant interviews, with
thematic analysis employed to interpret the findings. The study identified several key conditions
that contributed to post-divorce conflict, including concealment of property and assets, failure to
comply with child support obligations, betrayal, interference from extended family members, and
complications arising from remarriage. These conflicts manifested in multiple forms, such as
verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, public humiliation, and involvement of extended families,
often exacerbating tensions. The consequences were profound, leading to economic hardship—
particularly for women—emotional distress, deterioration in physical and mental health,
diminished social status, and strained parent-child relationships. Efforts to resolve these conflicts
typically involved traditional mechanisms such as shimgilina, the intervention of family and
religious elders, and, in cases where informal approaches were ineffective or biased, formal legal
measures. The findings of this study hold critical implications for social work and policy-making
by underscoring the importance of contextually tailored interventions. These include counseling
services, legal assistance, and community-based mediation strategies designed to reduce post-
divorce hostility and enhance the well-being of divorced individuals and their children through
culturally sensitive support systems