KHOST CITY - The Khost Welfare and Social Foundation (KWSF) has launched campaign in southeastern Khost province against high dowry and extravagant expenses on marriage ceremonies.
Akhter GulWafa, head of the foundation, told Pajhwok Afghan News youth had been faced with multiple problems due to high dowry and extravagant expenditures during wedding ceremony and most of the time they had been forced to go to foreign countries for work.
He said the KWSF has launched campaign to financially help youngster in their wedding expenditures and also work against high dowry and culture of high expenditures during weddings.
In a first, the foundation purchased appliances for the bride which she takes them to her in-laws home with herself, he says.
“The bride was orphan and her father died in her childhood, the groom was also economically not sound so the foundation purchased all necessary goods at the cost of 150,000 rupees for them,” he said.
Hanefa, the mother of bride, said she married her daughter to her nephew who works in the city. He was unable to pay dowry and purchase the appliances and households.
“We referred to the KWSF who bought all the needed households for my daughter. We will arrange the wedding ceremony simply because we don’t have the financial strength to arrange reception,” she said.
Civil Society Activist Sultan Mahmood Khirkhwa told Pajhwok Afghan News some tribal elders had decided to reduce the amount of dowry but no one implemented it.
He asked the Ulema to spread awareness regarding the handicaps of high dowry in villages and country-side. (Pajhwok)