Women urged to fight dowry as NWF campaign concludes

Delivering the inaugural address at a women's conference to bring awareness among women against dowry system, at Town Hall on Monday, she said that with the practice of dowry system marriages have now become business transactions.

The conference was organised to mark the valedictory of a campaign against dowry organised by the front in different parts of the State from April 15.

Terming the 'easy money' received by men in form of dowry as inhumane act, Ms Zainaba, urged both men and women continue their fight to end this anti-social practice.

She said, the dowry system has reduced the significance of marriage as it treats woman like a commodity. The increased rate of female foeticide and dowry cases should be stopped and this needs the involvement and support of the women. The society should ban all the anti-social practices.

“The attacks on women, harassments and suicides are still rampant in some of the communities in our society. Hence, awareness should be brought among the people, specially the women against the evil practices like dowry,” she said.

Criticising the men who accept dowry, she said that the men are looking at dowry as an easy source for money but they do not realise that by banking on dowry they are selling themselves.

The inaugural programme was followed by a panel discussion on 'Women, dowry and empowerment'. Putting forth her thoughts, National Women's Front Karnataka General Secretary Fatima Nasima said that the dowry marriages should be abolished in the society.

According to United Nations Organisation's report, over one crore female foeticide cases have been reported in India during the last 20 years. The practice could be stopped only if the youth make up their mind not to accept dowry.

Internal Quota

Some women who spoke at a conference felt that there was a need for internal quota in 33 per cent reservation for women.

Ms Zainaba, and NWF State wing general secretary Fatima Naseema, said that internal reservation would provide an opportunity for women from weaker sections of society to come to the mainstream.