Even though our society has economically, socially, politically, and to some extent morally evolved over the years, the menace of dowry still persists across the country. According to recent statistics, almost 2,000 cases pertaining to dowry-related deaths are reported every year. Even though there have been attempts to ameliorate such practices, lack of overall support makes it impossible for the responsible quarters to implement such initiates at the national level. In 2018, Pakistani celebrities propagated a trend that went viral: “Jahez Khori Band Karo” which means “stop asking for dowry”. But due to the lack of support it slowly lost momentum and nothing substantial came out of it.
Such practices not only remain a nuisance for parents but have adverse mental and psychological effects on girls who have no choice but to accept dowry conditions in order to get married. While many girls get divorced, others are beaten and a few are even killed because they weren’t able to provide substantial dowry. Poor families are more vulnerable since they cannot afford to give the luxurious items demanded in dowry. This ultimately becomes the cause of late or even pressurised marriages which could potentially ruin a girl’s life.
My plea to parents is to stop giving your daughters to beggars, stop viewing your daughters as a liability. On the other hand, the authorities should ensure that laws are set in place that prohibit such practices.
Michael Samuel
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2020.
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