Dowry System

                           Dowry System

A dowry is a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter. In ancient times, it was considered as a sort of help to the newlyweds to establish their own home. Now, the system has become a social evil. It is really tragic that in the progressive world of today, the evil of dowry continues to exist in all its horrid forms. The practice continues in Bangladesh even though it became illegal in 1980 under the Anti-Dowry Prohibition Act. But despite being illegal for decades, dowry transactions are becoming more uncontrolled and practiced. Illiteracy, poverty, and greed of the bridegroom are the main causes of this heinous system. Lack of women education in families, imbalance ratio of men and women are another reason for giving dowry. Corruption and unethical practice make this illicit activity a new turn in the society, as most of the people don't think this illegal practice as a crime rather they consider it as a legal way to accumulate wealth. More than 40 percent of women in Bangladesh have experienced physical violence by their intimate partners because of this system. Dowry death, acid burning and other sorts of oppression to the brides are increasing. Sometimes young brides commit suicide for escaping the torture.  It causes a great economic burden on the bride’s family. Parent of poor families kills their daughter from the varied birth or at the stage of fetuses in their mother’s womb for escaping the fact that they have to give a rich dowry in her marriage time. Dowry system is demoralizing society as a whole. Not only repression on women but also creates family tension, divorce, break up of families, social deprivation, miserable existence, the burden for the society, etc. Seeing the neighbors to provide a dowry, others may be interested in providing a dowry. To prevent the dowry system, the process should cover the grassroots level to the upper level. Government laws alone cannot prevent dowry. Dowry is a social disease. As such social mobilization is required. To take massive anti-dowry measures people should be properly motivated. Though the task of creating public and social awareness with the collective effort against the dowry system is a very challenging one it must be achieved so that the country can be free from this evil practice and women can get their due share of dignity.