Uganda: Supreme Court Says Bride Prices Violate Constitution
Last week, Uganda's Supreme Court declared bride prices unconstitutional. In a six to one ruling, the court stated, "[t]he payment of bride price and its refund as a condition precedent to a valid marriage and resolution of that marriage undermines the dignity and status of women." Ugandan advocates have long argued that the traditional practice of "paying" for a bride made women more vulnerable to domestic violence and early marriage. Research conducted in 2009 found that nearly 100% of Ugandan women surveyed experienced violence after payment of a bride price. Women often cannot end violent marriages unless the woman's family refunds the bride price paid.
Compiled from: Uganda supreme court rules bride prices unconstitutional, Turkish Weekly (August 7, 2015).
For more information
Please see the Harmful Traditional Practices and Forced and Child Marriage sections of this website.
In This Section