3 Seconds Divorce (2018)

• 73%
• 2018
• Documentary
• Shazia Javed

An age- old practice allows Muslim men in India to divorce their wives unilaterally by simply stating the word 'talaq' that stands for 'divorce' three times consecutively. The only way for a couple to live together after this is for the woman to perform 'halala'. Halala requires the divorced woman to get married to another man and get divorced again after the new marriage is consummated. The entire process leaves no space for a woman's agency nor does it establish any rights for her. Frustrated with lack of initiative from the government or religious leaders to stop this; Muslim women in India organise and start a movement to reclaim their religious and constitutional rights. '3 Seconds Divorce' tell this story through the journey of Lubna - a present day activist and former victim of triple-divorce who makes personal sacrifices to continue her activism. The documentary also provides a behind the scene glimpse at the growing Indian Muslim women's movement as it navigates between orthodox Muslim leadership and a polarized political environment in India.