Dowry is a social disorder. Its poisoning affects our whole society. Although the dowry system is on the rise now, it has been in vogue since ancient times. This practice is a curse in women's life. Innumerable women are constantly being oppressed and oppressed due to dowry. In a male-dominated society, women's happy families are breaking up under the curse of dowry. The social and human dignity of women is being violated by the dowry. The dowry system not only degrades women but also slows down the development of the entire country by hampering the development of the entire nation.
★Definition of Dowry
Dowry is the amount of money, resources, ornaments, furniture, entertainment that the bride gives to the groom during, before and after the marriage. At present, in rich families, houses, cars and land are also exchanged as a token of marriage.
★Origin and history of dowry system
Nothing is known about the origin and development of dowry system. However, since ancient times, this practice has spread in the society in different ways at different times. There are references to the exchange of dowry in the marriages of various mythological characters of the ancient Ramayana and the Mahabharata. As a result of the nobility tradition prevalent during the reign of Raja Ballal Sen, the father of the daughter had to pay a large sum of money to the potter before the daughter became unprotected. Besides, in order to marry a girl from a lower caste to a higher caste, giving a lot of money to the girl's father was a daily occurrence. It is also known about the widespread use of dowry in other poems including Mangalkavya in the Middle Ages.
★Reasons for dowry
The main reason for dowry is greed. In many cases, the boy's family marries the boy early for the sake of money. Poverty or financial hardship is also one of the reasons for the increase in dowry in our country. Many take dowry later under the pressure or lack of poverty. In a male-dominated society, prejudice and bigotry hinder the proper status of women which inspires the dowry system. One of the reasons for the creation of dowry system is the ignorance and economic dependence of the backward women in education and the consequent ignorance of the society. Besides, lack of rights and illiteracy, lust for social prestige and establishment, desire for luxurious life etc. are some of the reasons for dowry system.
★Adverse effects of dowry
Dowry system has created huge problems in our society. Husband and wife often do not get along because they do not get married according to their choice in the greed of dowry. Even if the amount of dowry is a little less, the in-laws torture the daughter of a poor family in various unbearable ways. The fathers of many poor girls have become destitute and helpless while constantly meeting the whims of their husbands and in-laws. Unable to meet the demand for dowry, many women have to leave their husband's house and return to their father's house. Sometimes divorce is also granted. Thus, many women choose to commit suicide as they cannot bear the constant torture and oppression. This practice has discriminated between men and women, turned women into social contempt and commodities. It not only creates inequality between men and women but also destroys social structures and institutions. It is a heinous and inhumane social norm that violates the basic rights of women. Many poor parents do not gladly accept their daughters under the curse of dowry. The adverse effects of dowry are degrading and degrading for women's lives.
★Dowry system in violence against women
At present, as a result of dowry system, cruelty, atrocities and violence against women are normal. As John Austin puts it, "the dowry system paves the way for women's oppression." Dowry system paves the way for women's oppression. The husband and in-laws also claimed that he had committed suicide by physically killing her by inhuman torture. Dowry is also a form of physical and mental torture, acid burning, sometimes burning or poisoning, suffocation or strangulation.
★Recent Dowry Sacrifice and Violence Against Women
A recent report (January-September 2013) by the Data Protection Unit of the Law and Arbitration Center shows that a total of 265 women were dowry victims in 2013. Of these, 109 were physically abused, 3 were acid burned, 4 were evicted from their husbands' homes, 126 were murdered and 21 committed suicide. According to a 2012 report, a total of 36 people and 24 people were dowry victims in October and November, respectively. In October 2012, out of 36 people, 16 were tortured, 18 were killed and 1 committed suicide. The BSHER report also found that in 2009-10, 356 people died and 189 were tortured as a result of dowry. Another report, A Wife's Darkest Hour: Dowry Violence in Bangladesh, states that 18 people were dowry victims in 2006 and 182 in 2008. Another report, "Dowry - A Social Evil", states that in 2004, 36 women were victims of dowry.
★Steps taken to stop dowry system
People of all classes, professions and religions should come forward to eradicate the dowry system from the society. Everyone's healthy mentality, strong sense of life and social welfare, constructive attitude can eradicate the dowry system. Today's young society can play a leading role in preventing dowry. Only the youth can become self-educated and have practical knowledge and form a movement against the dowry system. In addition, a change in the attitude of men towards women is essential. Every man in the society should be given the right status as his half-brother without considering women as commodities. It is necessary to establish women's rights in the society by giving up the greed of men and realizing the significance of women's virtue and glory. Giving and receiving dowry should be considered as a heinous crime by all.
★Laws against dowry system and proper enforcement
The government has passed various laws to establish women's rights in Bangladesh. For the advancement of women, the government has announced the ‘National Women Development Policy’ known as Women Development Magna Carta. Various laws have been enacted to stop violence against women.
Such as:
(1) Anti-Dowry Act 1980,
(2) Prevention of Violence against Women Act 1973,
(3) Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 1974,
(4) Muslim Family Act 1971 [Amended 1985],
(5) Family Court Act 1975,
(6) Anti-Terrorism Act 1992,
(7) Women and Child Abuse Act 2000.
The Anti-Violence Against Women Act has confirmed the provision of punishment against dowry. The Women and Child Abuse Act 2000 states that if a woman dies due to dowry, it will be punishable by death. Attempts to cause death will be punishable by life imprisonment. If injured due to dowry, he will be given rigorous imprisonment for life. Attempts to injure will be punishable by a maximum of 14 years and a minimum of 5 years rigorous imprisonment, with financial penalties in all cases.
For the development of the female nation, the roots of the poisonous tree called dowry should be uprooted from the society by the joint efforts of men and women. Everyone in the society should realize that women are our mothers, sisters and children. Only then is it possible for women to stand tall in the court of the world as a dignified nation by establishing proper dignity and rights in society, family and state.
