Uganda's Supreme Court has banned the refunding of bride price upon divorce, a significant step for women's rights. While the court upholds the tradition of bride price, it emphasizes that women are not property, addressing the detrimental impact of refunding on victims of domestic violence and abusive marriages.
Uganda’s Supreme Court has officially prohibited the practice of refunding the “bride price” upon divorce, a significant ruling in the fight for women's rights. Traditionally, bride price, often paid in livestock, is given by a groom to the bride's family as part of marriage customs. While the court upheld the custom of paying bride price, it emphasized that the refunding practice undermines women's dignity.
Activists argued that the expectation to repay the bride price can trap women in abusive relationships, as many families struggle to return the gifts. Leah Nabunnya, a spokesperson for the Mifumi Project, which initiated the case, celebrated the ruling as a victory for women's rights, asserting that it addresses a significant barrier to leaving abusive marriages.
The case, which originated in 2007, highlighted the detrimental effects of bride price practices on women, equating them to property rather than individuals with rights. The Supreme Court judges reiterated that women should not be viewed as commodities in a marketplace.
