Essay On Dowry System In Nepal

The dowry system has been in practice for a very long time in Nepal and forms a part of the deeply-caled traditional and cultural lifestyle of its people. It refers to the practice whereby the bride's family gives gifts, money, or property to the groom's family at the time of marriage. Though at one time dowries were meant to assist the newlywed couple in starting life, it has turned into an exploitation of the bride's family, putting them under a financial burden.

Though many efforts have been made to eliminate this negative practice, it still prevails in most parts of Nepal, resulting in gender inequality, cases of domestic violence, and even deaths related to dowry issues. The roots of the dowry system are so complex, with far-reaching implications, which must be understood if the problem is to be tackled effectively at its roots in Nepalese society.

As a part of the deeply-anchored social tradition in Nepal, the system of dowry either perpetuates gender inequality and an economic burden or continues to affect the lives of women and their families at large. It normally paves the way for financial load on the bride's family, reinforces the subordination of women by treating them as an economic liability, and causes a number of social problems like domestic violence and gender-based discrimination.

Moreover, the system of dowry worsens the economic imbalance between genders by increasing the financial burden on the bride's family to an unbearable level and even makes them run into debt. Such practices are not only demeaning to the worth of women but also curtailing their chances of education and work, as families would readily spend money on dowries rather than investing in the future of their daughters. This, in most cases, translates to harassment, abuse, and abandonment of women for failure to pay the dowry demand. As such, it is a factor that perpetuates subordination and inequality, and consequently, social and economic independence for women becomes elusive. Therefore, this dowry system is an effective factor against gender equality and social progress.

The system of dowry in Nepal is very old and has been deeply embedded in the historical and cultural setup of that country. In traditional Nepalese society, exchanging gifts and the like between the two families was looked upon as a means toward improving social standing, enhancing family relationships, and offering financial security to the bride within her in-laws' home.

What began as a practice evolved into an exacting demand of dowry, too extravagant and burdensome for the bride's family. Despite numerous efforts to declare it illegal in Nepal, many couples continue the practice due to culturally deep-seated beliefs and expectations. To understand how this negative practice that has been affecting countless families across the country should be handled, placing dowry within its historical and cultural context in Nepal becomes very important.

The dowry system is like a cancer to society and women. Of all, the most prominent would be the perpetuation of gender inequality by looking at women as inferior to men and the commodification of them as objects to be exchanged for material goods in marriages. This not only devalues women's worth but also restricts their autonomy and agency within marriages.

Besides, exorbitant dowry demands pressurize the bride's family financially, mostly into debt or poverty. This can be an economic blow that has lifelong consequences for their social status and well-being. Further, the occurrence of dowry-related violence and harassment against brides proves how such a system only strengthens a culture of abuse and discrimination against women in Nepali society.

There are many efforts underway in the recent past to combat the dowry system in Nepal. One of the primary initiatives taken was the enforcement of stringent laws and regulations that prohibit the practice of giving or receiving dowry. The government has also launched awareness campaigns to let people know about the adverse impacts of dowry on the society and on the persons concerned. Additionally, gender equality and advancement of women's rights have been major propaganda of NGOs and representatives of civil society, with which the dowry problem is intricately linked.

These efforts thus raised awareness against the ills of the dowry system and made a gradual change in attitude towards this outdated tradition. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to completely eradicate this harmful practice from Nepalese society.