Legal Reform to Address Dowry Culture Gains Traction
Islamabad – In a significant step towards curbing the long-standing tradition of dowries in Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has initiated a consultative process aimed at legally prohibiting dowries and bridal gifts. The Commission has formally sought recommendations from relevant institutions as part of its ongoing review of family laws.
This move is part of a broader strategy to eliminate societal practices that disproportionately burden women and their families, often leading to financial hardship and psychological stress. The NCSW aims to establish an effective and enforceable legal framework to address these deeply rooted cultural norms.
National Consultation on 1976 Dowry Law
The second national consultative meeting on the Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act of 1976 was held recently under the chairpersonship of NCSW’s Ume Laila Azhar. The session brought together representatives from government ministries, legal experts, and civil society organizations to review and modernize the provisions of the decades-old law.
Participants examined the existing legislation in detail and discussed ways to align it with present-day realities and gender equality standards. The law, while still technically in effect, has remained largely dormant due to weak enforcement mechanisms and lack of public awareness.
Dowry Culture: A Persistent Social Challenge
The practice of dowry — in which a bride’s family is expected to provide money, goods, or property to the groom’s family — remains prevalent in many parts of Pakistan. Often seen as a customary tradition, dowries have evolved into a significant source of financial strain, especially for families from lower-income backgrounds.
While the Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act was introduced in 1976 to limit such practices, the absence of strict implementation has rendered it ineffective. As a result, many families continue to feel compelled to offer lavish dowries and gifts, reinforcing gender inequality and perpetuating harmful societal expectations.
During the consultation, stakeholders unanimously agreed that the culture of dowry places immense economic and emotional pressure on women and their families. In many cases, demands for dowry have led to delayed marriages, domestic disputes, and even cases of violence against women.
A Renewed Push for Clearer, Enforceable Legislation
The NCSW emphasized that any revised legislation must be more explicit, actionable, and easily enforceable. The aim is to put an end to social behaviors and demands that undermine the dignity and equal status of women in society.
To this end, the Commission has invited written suggestions from various stakeholders — including government bodies, legal experts, and civil society organizations — to be incorporated into the next phases of legislative reform. The goal is not just to revise the law, but to create the conditions for its practical enforcement across all provinces.
This initiative falls under the mandate of the NCSW as outlined in the National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2012, and follows directives from the Sub-Committee on Gender Mainstreaming of the National Assembly.
Broader Context and Regional Comparisons
Pakistan is not alone in grappling with the cultural challenges of dowry. In neighboring India, for example, the Dowry Prohibition Act was enacted in 1961, but similar issues of enforcement and social resistance persist. According to a 2021 report by the United Nations, dowry-related violence continues to affect thousands of women across South Asia annually.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of South Asian Development highlighted that dowry payments in Pakistan average between PKR 200,000 to 2 million (approx. USD 700 to 7,000), depending on social class — an unsustainable burden for many families.
Such statistics underline the urgent need for robust legal reform and public education campaigns to challenge harmful norms.
Looking Ahead: Ending Dowry-Driven Discrimination
The current push by the NCSW reflects a broader commitment to women’s rights and gender equality in Pakistan. Legal reform alone, however, will not be sufficient. Experts argue that a parallel cultural shift is required — one that empowers women, educates communities, and fosters societal rejection of dowry expectations.
If successful, these reforms could mark a turning point in addressing a practice that has long undermined the economic and emotional wellbeing of countless Pakistani women and their families.
The Commission is expected to hold further consultations in the coming months, with the aim of drafting a more robust and enforceable legislative proposal for parliamentary approval.
