Dowry demands 'killing' Bengali women - 12 Dec 08

Introduction to Dowry System

• The dowry system involves the payment of money and goods from a woman's family to her new husband.

• Although banned in Bangladesh and India, the practice persists and often results in abuse.

• Statistics regarding dowry-related violence are underreported, complicating the understanding of the issue.

Dowry-Related Crime Statistics

• In India, over 6,000 women die each year from dowry-related abuse.

• In Bangladesh, 66% of women murdered in 2005 were victims of dowry-related domestic violence.

Personal Accounts of Dowry Abuse

Case of Reena

• Married at 12, with parents providing a dowry of nearly $300 instead of the agreed $400 and a bicycle.

• Faced severe punishment from her husband when the dowry was deemed insufficient.

• Reena experienced horrific violence, including acid attacks and torture with burning sticks, due to her family's inability to meet demands.

The Cycle of Abuse

• Husbands continue to demand additional dowries long after marriage.

• Marriages are deemed an income source for men, leading to ongoing financial demands from wives.

• Abusive husbands often resort to violence to control their partners, including acid attacks to prevent them from leaving.

Systemic Issues

• Lack of nationwide statistics on torture and killings related to dowry complicates the assessment of the problem.

• Violence against dowry brides has been a historical issue and is now exacerbated by global economic downturns affecting developing countries.

Broader Consequences of Dowry Violence

Case of Mitu

• Mitu, married at 18 from a middle-class family, suffered from demands for higher dowry payments.

• After resisting her in-laws' demands, she was strangled the next day, with her husband fleeing the scene.

• This illustrates that dowry violence affects women from all social classes, not just the poor.

Legal Consequences and Social Impact

• Some perpetrators are caught and face severe legal repercussions, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.

• Victims like Reena live with both physical and mental scars; Reena's father died from shame related to the incident.

Conclusion

• The dowry system, deeply entrenched in social norms, leads to a cycle of violence and suffering for many women in Bangladesh.

• The continuation of such traditions highlights the need for social change and better enforcement of laws against dowry.