The The Dowry System in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Its Impacts on Women’s Health, Socio-Economic Status, and Societal Norms
The Dowry System in Pakistan
Keywords:
Dowry system, domestic violence, early marriage, sexual assault, mental health, women’s health, societal norms, socio-economic impact, Pakistan, literature reviewAbstract
Background: The dowry system, a traditional practice involving transfer of wealth from the bride's family to the groom's, persists in Pakistan and continues to shape socio-cultural and economic dynamics. Despite its historical roots, dowry system has profound implications for women’s well-being and societal structures.
Objective: This literature review aims to explore the multifaceted effects of dowry system on women in Pakistan, with a focus on its associations with domestic violence, early marriage, sexual assault, and mental health issues.
Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles, grey literature, and institutional reports. Databases searched included AMA Journals, BMJ Journals Collection, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Sage, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer, and Wiley Inter-Science. Grey literature was accessed via Google Scholar and institutional repositories. The search terms included combinations of dowry, early marriage, domestic violence, sexual assault, women's mental health, and Pakistan.
Results: The review synthesizes findings indicating that dowry practices are linked to heightened risks of domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental health issues among women. Dowry practices contribute to a cycle of materialism and social discord, with varying impacts across different socio-economic and regional contexts within Pakistan. The review also highlights the roles of various stakeholders, including government bodies and NGOs, in either perpetuating or challenging these practices.
Conclusion: The persistence of the dowry system, despite widespread opposition, underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to address its adverse effects. Cultural and systemic factors play significant roles in sustaining the practice, which in turn affects women’s health and societal status.
