The issue of dowry deaths continues to plague India in 2025. Recent tragic cases from various states show the persistent violence faced by women over dowry demands. Despite legal prohibitions, dowry-related harassment and deaths remain widespread. The problem is deeply rooted in gender inequality and societal norms that devalue women.
Recent Cases and Statistics
In 2024, over 6,000 dowry deaths were recorded across India. Reports include a lecturer in Jodhpur who died after setting herself and her daughter on fire due to dowry harassment. Other cases include brutal violence such as pressing hot irons on women’s bodies in Uttar Pradesh and use of snakes for murder in Kerala. These incidents show the impunity with which dowry violence occurs. The National Commission for Women reported that 17% of complaints were related to dowry harassment.
Legal Framework and Its Limitations
Dowry is banned under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, aims to prevent sex-selective abortions. However, enforcement remains weak. Many cases go unreported or unresolved. Social stigma and fear prevent victims from seeking help. Families often pressure women to endure abuse, believing it is their duty.
Societal and Cultural Factors
Dowry is linked to deep-rooted gender bias. Girls are seen as financial burdens due to dowry costs, leading to sex-selective abortions and skewed sex ratios. States with worse sex ratios report higher dowry deaths. Women’s lower status restricts their access to healthcare and social support. Cultural conditioning forces many women to stay silent in abusive marriages.
Impact on Women’s Health and Wellbeing
Dowry harassment severely affects women’s mental and physical health. Studies show a strong correlation between dowry prevalence and poor self-rated health among women. Psychosocial stress and diminished status create barriers to healthcare access. This perpetuates a cycle of neglect and abuse, further endangering women’s lives.
Gender Inequality and Global Rankings
India ranks 131 out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap report. It trails behind neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The country has committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 5 on gender equality. With only a few years left to 2030, urgent action is needed to address dowry violence and improve women’s status.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the socio-economic factors that perpetuate the practice of dowry in India and its impact on gender equality.
- Explain the role of legal frameworks like the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 in combating dowry and sex-selective abortions. What are the challenges in their enforcement?
- With suitable examples, comment on how gender bias and cultural norms influence the health and wellbeing of women in India.
- What are the Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality? How can India accelerate progress towards these goals in the context of dowry-related violence and discrimination?
