Tag: dowry

  • What is the ‘boy math’ trend all about?

    What is the ‘boy math’ trend all about?

    If you’re chronically online like the rest of us, you’ve probably noticed that among the top trends on Twitter is the term ‘boy math’. What even is this trend all about and why is it all the rage on social media? We got all the deets here.

    Boy math is a term that was begun to counteract sexist backlash ignited by men on Twitter that women are not good at math or any technical things. Pakistani women are currently leading the game with some hilarious burns using the boy math trend, and we’re sharing some of the responses here.

    Pakistani women, please never change and never lose your wicked sense of humor. We salute y’all.

  • ‘Ugly’ girls can get married easily if they paid dowry: textbook

    ‘Ugly’ girls can get married easily if they paid dowry: textbook

    A topic on ‘merits of dowry’ in textbooks for nursing students has sparked a heated controversy in India. The image of the textbook page has gone viral on social media which started a debate among people on the negative impacts of such readings on young minds and society overall.

    NDTV reported that users claimed that this is the textbook of Sociology for Nursing students written by T K Indrani. The book cover says that this is written according to the Indian Nursing Council syllabus.

    The image of the textbook’s page has been shared by the Indian party Shiv Sena’s leader, MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. She requested the education minister to remove the content from the textbook.

    She stated, “A textbook elaborating merits of dowry can actually exist in our curriculum is a shame for the nation and its constitution”.

    The section on Merits of Dowry highlighted that it is helpful in establishing new a household with items including furniture, electronic goods, and a vehicle. Girls can receive a share of parental property through dowry. The most shocking point which provoked people is that ‘ugly looking girls can be married off with attractive dowry with well or ugly looking boys’.

  • Video: Bride’s family beat groom for demanding millions in dowry

    An Indian Muslim family beat the groom and his relatives after being asked for dowry worth millions in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) state.

    In a video, it can be seen that both families are fighting. A woman can be seen protecting the groom while a police officer is also seen protecting the man and controlling the situation.

    https://twitter.com/viralvdoz/status/1472445638071619589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1472445638071619589%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com%2Fviral%2Fviral-video-groom-thrashed-by-bride-family-wedding-dowry-sahibabad-uttar-pradesh-ghaziabad-up-5145717%2F

    The bride’s family had already given Indian Rupees (INR) 3 lakh along with a diamond ring worth INR1 lakh in dowry but right before the nikkah ceremony, the groom’s father demanded INR10 lakh and threatened to call off the wedding if the demand was not met, reports India.com.

    Initially, the bride’s family tried to persuade the groom’s family but they were not convinced so they started thrashing the groom.

    The bride’s side also claimed that the man was married two to three times before.

  • Ali Xeeshan responds to criticism on ‘anti-dowry’ bridal campaign

    Ali Xeeshan’s latest collection ‘Numaish,’ which debuted at the Hum Bridal Couture Week 2021 last week, has created a bit of a storm on social media. The collection, aimed to highlight the burdening culture of dowry in our society, was designed in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan.

    While the campaign was well-intended, the designer received backlash on social media, with people criticising Xeeshan for the cost of his outfits and referring to Ali’s campaign as an act of hypocrisy.

    Responding to the criticism, Xeeshan said: “When I was developing it [the campaign], I was only looking into girls’ struggle but later I realised that dowry pressurises the parents more.”

    “I remember last year a client’s wedding was called off because one of the demands from groom side was to have a gold-plated shaving kit,” shared Xeeshan.

    He continued: “Many people say that you make expensive outfits, then why are you talking about this? These two are very different things – that [designing outfits] is my business and no one is compelled [to buy them].”

    “If you can afford my clothes please be my guests and if you can’t then don’t put yourself under the pressure,” added Xeeshan.

    The designer concluded by saying, “Agar meray say koi poochay keh mere kapray khareeday ya beti ko education de, toh beti ko education day dein. Mein kapray baich loon ga.”

  • Dowry culture

    According to a recent survey conducted by Pulse Consultants, more than 50 per cent Pakistanis believe that a girl’s family should give dowry when she is getting married. Around 61 per cent respondents were of the view that dowry should be allowed in the Pakistani system while 36 per cent were against it. Almost 73 per cent women believed that dowry should be allowed whereas 24 per cent were against it.

    This survey’s results should not be surprising given that dowry has become an unfortunate reality in our region.

    Dowry is used as a measure of worth for the bride; it is used as a bargaining tool or as a price tag when marrying off girls. This is rooted in the patriarchal and misogynist belief that daughters are a burden when they are born and so to marry them off, a price must be attached to them to ‘lure’ a groom. Despite laws against dowry in the country, this ‘tradition’ continues. Underage girls are often married so that the family gives less dowry in comparison to an adult bride. Many women are left unmarried because their families cannot afford to give a sizeable dowry. This tradition is one that perpetuates violence against women. Pakistan has a high rate of dowry-related deaths. Many women are tortured and even killed for not meeting the dowry requirements of their in-laws. Laws can only do so much. Not many people would report that the other party is demanding dowry for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Dowry transcends all classes. A lot of people would say what they are giving to their daughter is a ‘gift’ when actually it is more like ‘ransom’. Sometimes it is also used to deny a woman her inheritance rights – once dowry is given, the family says they have no rights in their inheritance any more. In a patriarchal society, women are treated like a property or objects instead of human beings with any rights. Dowry is a custom that encourages such thinking.

    The need of the hour is a public awareness campaign against dowry and why this cultural tradition must end. Both the government and the media need to do their part to educate the masses that there are laws against dowry in the country and also why this custom is a social evil. The acceptability of dowry will not end overnight. It will take years of education and awareness for the masses to eradicate this menace.

  • Survey reveals 61% Pakistanis support dowry

    Survey reveals 61% Pakistanis support dowry

    The Ministry of Religious Affair recently proposed a bill to ban dowry in the country.

    While the suggested bill was initially appreciated on social media, a new survey by Pulse Consultant revealed that 61% Pakistanis support dowry. More than 2,000 people participated in the survey. On the other hand, only 36% of people opposed the tradition.

    Further statistics revealed that 73% women voted in favour of allowing dowry while 24% opposed it. Among men, 59% were in the support of dowry.

    Earlier, The Current also asked people what they thought about and here is what they said.