Dowry
- A dowry is a payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride’s family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage.
Causes and Effects of dowry and Acts to eradicate it
- The practice of dowry is one of the worst social practices that has affected our culture.
- In the earlier days, dowry was an institution in which gifts and presents were given to a girl at the time of her marriage when she required to leave her parents home and join her husband’s home.
- But in course of time, it became a crude institution resulting in female infanticide, suicide, bride burning and other cruelties.
Causes
- Illiteracy is the primary cause
- Greed factor
- Lack of Willingness to adhere to laws
- Patriarchal nature of the Indian society
- Inheritance systems 6. Bride’s economic status.
Effect
- Dowry deaths
- Acts of domestic violence against women including psychological as well as physical torture
- Violation of basic human rights of women
- Decrease in sex-ratio
- Prevalence of mental disorders
- Female infanticide
- Female foeticide
- Trap Poor People in Debt
Acts
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:
- Dowry – any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage.
- Penalty – Giving/taking/ demanding dowry – Imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both..
- Agreement for giving or dowry to be void
- Rulemaking power – Parliament may by notification in the Official
- Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act
IPC Section 304B and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Dowry death definition
- Punishment Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which i may extend to imprisonment for life.
IPC Section 498A
- Definition of subjects of women to cruelty
- Punishment Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005:
- Encompasses all forms of physical, verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse.
- Includes the demand for dowry under the definition of domestic violence.