In a landmark move, the Federal Government of Pakistan has finally outlawed the practice of demanding a dowry in Pakistan. The groom’s family can no longer demand dowry from the bride’s family.
The South Asian tradition of demanding dowry from a bride’s family places a lot of social and financial pressure on families with daughters. The groom’s family then places the dowry on display. A bride’s value is often associated with the material value of her dowry.
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The practice has even been deemed a reason behind female infanticide in the world’s largest populations, China and India. Families prefer not to raise girls as that means a loss of significant wealth as dowry.
The impact of dowry in Pakistan is similar. Some parents commit suicide due to their inability to wed off their daughters. Similarly, women also follow the same path out of guilt to relive their family of the burden of paying a dowry.
In Pakistan, details of ‘gifts‘ and dowry given to a bride are even documented in the Nikkah-Nama (marriage certificate). This can determine if the bride losses her dowry if she is divorced. Additionally, this certificate also details whether the in-laws will pay for remittances and damages to the dowry if the brides takes her dowry with her in case of divorce.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has decided to ban the tradition of dowry. However, the new law does not entail a complete prohibition of dowry in the country. The Nation reported that according to the new law, the allowed dowry will be just clothes, but only for the bride only. Gifts also include bed-sheets.
In the case of divorce, the groom’s side has to return all the gifts and dowry to the girl.
Prior to Pakistan, both India and Bangladesh have already outlawed the practice of demanding and accepting dowry. However traditional factions of society still indulge in the practice in secrecy.
Will outlawing dowry in Pakistan have a similar fate? What do you think?
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Step in the right direction. It will however not be effective until or unless a strict punishment is announced for those violating the law.
Yes….. a strict punishment for those who violating the law…
Fazool ki bat hai… Mian ne Jaheez nahi liya tha larki walo se… Jahaiz aik lanat samjh kar…
Divorce hui… larki walo ne 20 lac ka jahaiz ka case kar diya k hamara jahaiz wapis kro…
2 saal se case bhugat raha hoon… or adalat ne case ka faisla b larki walo k haq mian kar diya..
yaha larki ki gawahi kafi ho jati hai… yeh sab kehnay ki batian hien… amal jab ho ga to tab ki tab dekhay gien.. magar mian personally face kar raha hoon.. case appeal mien b kuch nahi bana…
jahaiz na ley kar b lanat face kar raha hoon courts se.