National
Dalit women start campaign against dowry
Women belonging to the Dalit communities in the district have started a campaign against dowry system, a social ill that is rampant across the country.Shiva Puri
Samha Devi Musahar of Hajmaniya-9 said she avoided the practice of giving dowry when she married off her daughter few days ago. She thanked the campaign against the dowry system initiated by forming women’s group in many villages in the district.
“The family of my son-in-law demanded a buffalo we were raising, Rs 20,000 in cash and a cycle for dowry,” said Samha Devi, “But after the women’s group intervened, they agreed not to take any dowry.”
Badri Mushar, a local resident, said he supports the campaign to free his village of the dowry system, adding that he refused to receive or give dowry while he got his four children married. He, however, shared his bitter experience of being forced to pay Rs 15,000 as dowry when his eldest daughter got married five years ago.
He said the situation in the village has changed for the better and the practice of giving and receiving dowry has ended for good.
Similar is the story in Tejapakad VDC in the district where nine women belonging to Dalit community got married without having to pay hefty sum to the groom’s family as dowry. Kisan Devi Paswan, who is a member of a women’s group active in the village against dowry and child marriage, said she is proud of the fact that she refused to receive any dowry during her son’s marriage recently. “Even when the family of my daughter-in-law was ready to give dowry I said we won’t take dowry,” she said.
The women’s group is one among many such groups active under the Livelihood for Peace Programme. An estimated 6,000 women in the district are said to be actively engaged in such women’s group to end dowry system and child marriage by initiating discussions and awareness campaigns.
Human rights activist Bipin Gautam expressed confidence that such campaigns in the district where dowry tradition is rife will bring about changes for the better.