Demerits of Exchange Marriages in Sindh

This paper discusses the ‘Demerits of Exchange Marriages in Sindh’which is indeed one of the burning social issues of Pakistan. The paperbegins with introduction and explanation about the phenomenon ofExchange Marriages, followed by its prevalence around the world.Then the paper quotes a few statistics regarding the existence of thissocial evil in Pakistan and particularly rural Sindh. After that, thecauses for the prevalence of Exchange Marriages in Sindh arediscussed. The primary causes include: desire for balance of power,economic reasons, illiteracy, and Feudal and Jirga system. Followingthat, the effects of exchange marriages are discussed which includedomestic violence, estrangement, depression and violation of rights. Abrief case from interior Sindh is discussed, after which a set ofrecommendations is proposed. The main recommendations comprise:improving literacy, demolishing feudal and Jirga system,discontinuing practices such as dowry, and strict legislation withenforcement.