Did you know that dowry has been officially illegal in India for over 60 years? The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 was passed specifically to outlaw the practice of giving or receiving dowry.
Despite being illegal, the practice persists in the shadows across many parts of South Asia. It remains a deeply entrenched social custom that puts immense financial and emotional pressure on families.
A hopeful change is underway. More and more young people are rejecting this tradition, choosing instead to build marriages based on mutual respect, equality, and partnership, not on financial transactions.
Countless non-governmental organizations (NGOs), women's rights groups, and legal aid organizations are working tirelessly to educate communities, support victims, and advocate for an end to this harmful practice.