Kathmandu, April 16: Ruby Kumari Thakur, the newly elected Deputy Speaker of Nepal’s House of Representatives, has declared that she will not attend any wedding ceremonies where dowry is exchanged.
At just 26 years old, Thakur was elected on April 9, making her the youngest woman to hold this position. Her election is viewed as a sign of a new generation emerging in the country’s politics. She represents the Labor Culture Party, having entered Parliament through a proportional representation system.
Shortly after becoming a member of Parliament, Thakur pledged to combat the dowry system, particularly prevalent in the Madhesi community from which she hails. The dowry practice has been a significant contributor to domestic violence against women.
On her Facebook page, she stated, “I have recently received several wedding invitations, but none of the cards clearly mention ‘dowry-free marriage.’ This indicates that our society has not yet fully liberated itself from this harmful practice.”
Thakur further emphasized, “Not only is accepting dowry wrong, but attending such weddings or feasts is also socially unacceptable and legally a crime. This practice directly undermines women’s dignity, equality, and rights.”
She has urged people to promote dowry-free weddings based on equality and respect. Thakur suggested that wedding invitations should clearly state: “Dowry-free marriage; accepting dowry is a social and legal crime.”
Her statement comes at a time when, despite increasing laws and awareness, the dowry system persists. According to Nepal Police, ten dowry-related cases were reported in the fiscal year 2023-24, with seven recorded in the Madhesh province. This practice is more common in that region but exists across various social strata, typically surfacing in cases involving violence.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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