Islamabad :
The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) convened its second national consultative session on the Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976, as part of its broader effort to revise outdated family laws. This critical consultation followed the directives of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly’s Gender Mainstreaming Committee, in line with the commission’s mandate under the NCSW Act, 2012.
Chaired by NCSW Chairperson Ms. Ume Laila Azhar, the session brought together high-level stakeholders from relevant ministries and departments to conduct a detailed, section-by-section analysis of the law. Key discussion points included the legal definitions and scope of “dowry” and “bridal gifts,” the nature of monetary and non-monetary restrictions within the Act, procedures for lodging complaints and applying penalties, and the systemic gaps in enforcement.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Azhar underscored the gravity of the issue, calling dowry a deeply embedded form of gender-based violence and economic injustice in Pakistan. She acknowledged the original intent of the 1976 law but lamented its ineffectiveness in practice. “This law must not remain symbolic. It must be transformed into a practical tool for social justice and women’s empowerment,” she said, urging stakeholders to ensure the proposed amendments are implemented in full.
“No cultural or social norm should override the right to justice,” she added. “Women and families deserve protection from the exploitative burden of dowry, which continues to destroy lives and reinforce inequality.”
The consultation concluded with a call for written feedback from all stakeholders to aid in drafting evidence-based, actionable legal amendments. These contributions will shape the next phase of legal reform, aimed at eradicating discriminatory practices and creating a safer, more equitable society for women and girls across Pakistan.
