Public awareness can help halt repression on women
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Nipa is the second among six children of her parents. Her father runs a small hotel. She was wedded to a man in Dhaka and he got engaged in their business, reports BSS.
Before the marriage, Nipa's father sent all household appliances and made well furnished the bridegroom's house. Jewelury was also given in the marriage.
But all these gifts failed to bring her happiness. She fell victim to repression at her father-in-law's house. Failing to bring more gifts, she was finally divorced.
Selina of Chatkhil in Noakhali used to work as a maidservant in Dhaka. Her father was sick and mother an asthma patient. Her elder sister lives with them with her three kids since separation from her husband. Among her two brothers, the eldest one aged 22 years was the only earning member of the family.
She was married off through payment of Tk 40,000 in dowry after her family took loans from moneylenders. But within a year, Selina was divorced and returned to her ancestral home. Since then, she has been passing her days half-fed.
Manik (23) was a BCom first year student of Manikganj Devendra College when he married Rina (22) of Navagram of the district. Rina lost her father at tender age and her mother got married again due to social insecurity and financial insolvency. A social worker of the locality, Hossain, took Rina as adopted daughter.
From jewelury, refrigerator, colour TV and DVD player to home appliances were given in the marriage as gifts to help the couple begin new life.
After some days, the guardians of Manik demanded Tk 40,000 from Rina's foster father to build a house. As the money was given, Manik's family came up with new demands. Feeling the pinch of dowry, Hossain at one stage stopped giving them 'gifts'. As a result, Rina's life became miserable in her in-law's house.
Repression on women, killing, suicide and acid violence due to dowry are very common in the country. It is going on unabated, as a section of people encourage dowry by offering cash and wedding gifts.
According to saner section of society, changes in public attitudes toward dowry are a must to put an end to the menace.
Before the marriage, Nipa's father sent all household appliances and made well furnished the bridegroom's house. Jewelury was also given in the marriage.
But all these gifts failed to bring her happiness. She fell victim to repression at her father-in-law's house. Failing to bring more gifts, she was finally divorced.
Selina of Chatkhil in Noakhali used to work as a maidservant in Dhaka. Her father was sick and mother an asthma patient. Her elder sister lives with them with her three kids since separation from her husband. Among her two brothers, the eldest one aged 22 years was the only earning member of the family.
She was married off through payment of Tk 40,000 in dowry after her family took loans from moneylenders. But within a year, Selina was divorced and returned to her ancestral home. Since then, she has been passing her days half-fed.
Manik (23) was a BCom first year student of Manikganj Devendra College when he married Rina (22) of Navagram of the district. Rina lost her father at tender age and her mother got married again due to social insecurity and financial insolvency. A social worker of the locality, Hossain, took Rina as adopted daughter.
From jewelury, refrigerator, colour TV and DVD player to home appliances were given in the marriage as gifts to help the couple begin new life.
After some days, the guardians of Manik demanded Tk 40,000 from Rina's foster father to build a house. As the money was given, Manik's family came up with new demands. Feeling the pinch of dowry, Hossain at one stage stopped giving them 'gifts'. As a result, Rina's life became miserable in her in-law's house.
Repression on women, killing, suicide and acid violence due to dowry are very common in the country. It is going on unabated, as a section of people encourage dowry by offering cash and wedding gifts.
According to saner section of society, changes in public attitudes toward dowry are a must to put an end to the menace.