Curse of dowry

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has adopted a landmark legislation that bars a bride’s family members, relatives and outsiders from making dowry payments to the groom and his family. The law is commendable and deals with an endemic problem that has made life miserable for thousands of parents who cannot even wed their daughters. The parents of the girl are forced to give dowry to settle their daughter in the in-laws’ house in the name of tradition. But the dowry is no assurance that she will enjoy a happy life. Thousands of girls don’t get married because their parents cannot afford dowry, on the other hand there are thousands who are meted out unjust treatment merely because they didn’t brought enough ‘dowry’ with them to please their in laws. What is bizarre is that even educated and well off families ask for dowry, again, in the name of tradition. It is unfortunate that despite living in an Islamic country a number of our traditions are far from the teachings of Islam. When it comes to wedding, the event has become an occasion to showcase one’s wealth. Lavish ceremonies have become a norm. For those who afford it, it is colorful event but for millions in the country for whom it is hard to make both ends meet the prospect of an approaching wedding is a nightmare. The reason is simple the function which should be very simple if you go by religion has been turned into an expensive affairs lasting two to three days.
The law passed by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly also restricts the maximum value of gifts given to the bride by her parents, family members or any other person to rupees ten thousand. It is now illegal for anyone from the groom’s family or anyone on their behalf to ask or force the bride’s family for dowry. If they still do, they shall be liable to a two-month prison term and a fine of rupees three lac or both.
The law titled, ‘the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dowry, Bridal Gift and Marriage Functions Restriction Act, 2017,’ states that the total expenditures on marriages, including on baarats or valimas shall not exceed rupees seventy-five thousand. The bill, tabled by the Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Rashda Riffat, was unanimously adopted by the house.
The law if implemented will bring relief to thousands of families; however, this is where the problem lies. Pakistan already has a surfeit of laws but their implementation raises serious questions. For instance, The Dowry and Bridal Gifts (restriction) Act, 1976 already exists on the statute book but it has never been heard that it was ever enforced and its violators punished. This law extends to whole of Pakistan while the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa law, when passed, will be applicable only in the province.
In a related development Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Women Development, Irum Khalid has also announced to bring strong legislation against dowry and acid-throwing on women in the province by Sindh women development department.
Media groups should also come forward and play their part in raising awareness on the curse that dowry has become. It would also be important to keep an eye on the implementation of the law and other related laws that already exist but are rarely implemented.
Lack of ‘sufficient’ dowry is often used as an excuse for violence against women.