EXPLORING THE LEGAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF DOWER RIGHTS: A STUDY

Abstract

Dower is a socio-religious and legal concept that has been in practice since antiquity, and it has a notable impact on various aspects of societal relations, including property rights, inheritance, protective security for women and other gender dynamics. The authors in this paper aim to find out the multifaceted dimensions of the dower in greater detail, exploring its socio-religious context and current legal status of the dower. The analysis attracts case studies and legislative frameworks to explore how dower promotes economic security for spouses, particularly for women. The legal debates on property distribution and its significance in contemporary times on gender equality and marital rights need to be understood through the prism of personal laws and their liberal interpretations. The paper examines how dower is a legal and religious obligation for a husband under Mohammadanian Law to ensure that a wife gets surety and security, also surviving wife is not left destitute after the death of her husband, by providing them with a portion of their husband’s property.

Furthermore, this paper examines potential challenges and reforms that are associated with dower laws in the context of modern legal systems and societal norms. The research paper provides a comprehensive overview of the religious sanctity of the dower and its socio-cultural dimensions that stress the reliability of dower laws in promoting economic security for women.