Though paying and accepting dowry has been illegal in India for 40 years it is unfortunately still all to common. Strong enforcement of the Anti-Dowry Act, which has been around since 1961, doesn’t exist and bride burning and female infanticide remain a real problem for women and girls in various South Asian countries.
According to an BCC article “Indian Government statistics show that husbands and in-laws killed nearly 7,000 women in 2001 over inadequate dowry payments.”
In Dharahara village, India, the families have found their own solution around this unfortunate tradition by planting trees to celebrate the birth of a girl. Read more here.
Ideally there would be an end of dowry deaths, bride burning, and female infanticide all together. Until then, the people of Dharahara have prevented a single violent dowry or infanticide incident. It is an evolutionary way around the practice so instilled in their culture.
Are you familiar with an organization working against dowry deaths, bride burning, and/or female infanticide? Please share them with us!
Sri Lanka is another country faced with these particular challenges. Watch (click on full video) how Dr. Chandini Perera is empowering women in her country.
Emily Batlan
Thank you so much for publishing the wonderful and inspiring profiles of all of the Butterfly Project/Village Volunteer Scholarship recipients. As one of the long distance, online, mentors, I can attest to how very much the opportunity for higher education and leadership means to these young women. Spread the word, folks.
Jamboo to all of these exemplary women!
Emily