Dowry, child marriage are issues widely spoken of and denounced, but are still highly prevalent in our society
LAHORE: The release of Rani Bibi, a child bride, after 19 years has brought the issue of child marriage back to discussion in the media. Not only does the case of Rani Bibi highlight the issue of child marriage, but it brings to light the issue within our justice system. Media reports say that due to the fault of jail authorities and the lack of responsibility on their part, Rani Bibi suffered for years inside prison when she did not even commit a crime. Rani Bibi did not suffer alone. Her parents, who were also accused of murdering her husband, were jailed, along with her brother. While her mother was released after a few months, her father passed away in prison due to tuberculosis.
Spending most of her early life in jail, one has to question how this has affected Rani Bibi’s outlook towards life. Prison life is no joke. She had to work endlessly in jail doing labour and now that she has been released the problems of her past still haunt her. Imagine finally coming out of jail and attempting to start a new life but only feeling like a burden to those around you. Due to her past debt caused by her dowry, her current in-laws still mock Rani Bibi.
Dowry and child marriage are issues that are widely spoken of and denounced, but are still highly prevalent in our society. We not only take away the child’s formative years by marrying her off at a young age but metaphorically imprison her into something she has no say in. What kind of a life do such women have? One that is only directed by others. There is no doubt that the mental toll this wrong accusation must have taken on Rani Bibi has affected her well-being for life. So in view of cases like Rani Bibi’s, the government should enact strict laws to stop child marriage so as to save the future of women in the country.
Laiba Baig
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2020.
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