Dowry death

Femicide to extort more dowry Dowry deaths are the murder of married women who are killed or driven to suicide following dowry disputes often after the bride has been severely harassed by the groom and his family. Dowry deaths are found predominantly in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Iran. India reports the highest total number of dowry deaths worldwide annually. In 2023, over 6,100 dowry-related deaths in India were reported and over 15,000 cases were recorded. From 1999 to 2016, Female dowry deaths account for 40 to 50 percent of all female homicides recorded annually in India, representing a stable trend. Pakistan is predicted to have nearly 2000 dowry deaths occur every year. Dowry deaths represent one manifestation of violence against women. Despite some countries banning the practice, it continues as a part of long-standing tradition. Countries in which dowry is a common practice tend to continue to practice arranged marriages. While the purpose of dowry is to provide stability for a newly married couple, the practice has morphed into a pressure on the bride’s family to give enough. This can mean families saving for their daughter’s dowry beginning at her birth,