Are dowries putting too much pressure on men and women in South Sudan?

Before most marriages in South Sudan go ahead, men will typically give the woman’s family a dowry in the form of money and most often cattle.

For some it’s seen as an important tradition and a sign of respect. However, there are growing concerns from both men and women that providing dowries has become a burden and is leading to more sinister outcomes. This includes forced marriages and men resorting to violent cattle raids to steal the cows they need to get married.

In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja hears from young men and women in South Sudan on what the tradition means for them.