KARACHI:
It is unfortunate that the menace of dowry still persists in the modern world. However, the situation in Pakistan is far more lamentable, with approximately 95% of marriages across the country being involved in the transfer of dowry from the bride’s family to the groom’s. The nature of such a practice has turned so extreme that it leads to discrimination, violence and sometimes even murder — of women and their family members — with acid attacks being the most common.
However, this wasn’t always the case. The practice of dowry was initially introduced as a type of conjugal fund that would provide financial security to women “in [the case of] widowhood or against a negligent husband, and may eventually go to provide for her children”. Over the years, however, this practice has been used as a form of minting money from the bride’s family with the groom shamelessly requesting for an insane amount of dowry to be given if the family wants their daughter to live happily.
While the elite have created a culture around the practice of dowry by giving away many luxury items such as cars, plots, and at times even businesses, the poor are forced to incur huge debts in order to provide a decent dowry, which they spend the rest of their lives paying back. In the meantime, the girl is physically and mentally tortured by the in-laws.
Parents believe that only a handsome dowry can ensure the happiness of their daughters. It is about time that we as a community started to break away from such stereotypes. The practice of dowry should be banned by law, and should entail harsh consequences. If we are to strive towards making our society more inclusive and tolerant, then would-be husbands and wives should pledge on getting married with simplicity and humility.
Anum Fatima
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2020.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
