A new study reported by the Guardian says dowry deaths in India no longer provoke the public anger they once did, even as thousands of women continue to lose their lives each year and cases increase.
Key facts
- Thousands of women are killed in dowry disputes in India each year, according to new research reported by the Guardian.
- Dowry deaths include women murdered or driven to suicide following disputes between families.
- The practice of dowry was banned in India in 1961, according to the source.
- Researchers say the killings have faded from public anger and political debate despite an increase in cases.
Dowry-related deaths in India no longer provoke the public anger they once did, despite thousands of women’s lives still being lost every year, according to new research reported by the Guardian.
The killings involve women who are murdered or driven to suicide following dowry disputes between families. According to the study, these deaths have also faded from political debate even as the number of cases has increased.
The dowry practice was banned in India in 1961, according to the source. Despite that prohibition, the research indicates it has persisted.
The study suggests the outrage that such cases once generated has declined, and that the issue has become less visible in public discourse.
Why it matters
Dowry deaths represent a continuing form of violence against women in India, and the study suggests that fading public and political attention could weaken pressure to address it. When a widespread and deadly problem drops out of public debate, the momentum for enforcement and reform can stall.
Frequently asked questions
Is dowry legal in India?
No. According to the research, the practice of dowry was banned in India in 1961, though it continues in practice.
What is a dowry death?
According to the study, dowry deaths involve women who are murdered or driven to suicide following dowry disputes between families.
Are dowry deaths increasing in India?
The research indicates that cases have increased, even as public anger and political debate around the issue have declined.