Victimizing Indian Women

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Throughout the history of India women were thought of as less important than a man. Women were subjected to different society rules and told to act a certain way. They lived their whole life adhering to these rules. Those who chose not to follow society were forced into it by their parents. Regardless of how they viewed themselves women in India were stuck in a rut and still are to this day. The practices opposed upon women in India make them a prisoner in their own culture. With the practice of dowry death and bride burning women are being victimized in India.
Dowry death is the death of young women who committed suicide due to continuous harassment and torture by her husband and in-laws in an effort to extort an increased dowry. Dowry death is one of the many acts of violence against women and is widespread in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sir Lanka, and some regions of Africa. In India dowry is a gift given to a groom’s family along with the bride and a “means of a family's to publicly display its wealth”(Harrell 111). A dowry can consist of cash, electrical appliances, jewelry, bedding, furniture, and other household items to help the new couple prepare their home. Dowry has created burden on the bride’s family and “lead to impoverishment” (Bottincci 116). Most family do not have the finances to offer a dowry leading most women in India to prefer having a son over a daughter. This has resulted in there being only 940 women for every 1,000 men and an increase in female feticide, the act of terminated the pregnancy because the baby is female. Certain Precautions were taken to try to protect the women.
One precaution that India has put into place is the Dowry Prohibition Act. This act was passed in 1961 and outlaws the re...

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...she tried to commit suicide and paid her hospital fees. Roopa was released to go home with them. Roopa's father heard of the incident and brought male relatives with him to get Roopa back because he believed he would never see his daughter alive again. Roopa now lives with her parents. She has lost a tremendous amount of weight due to her injuries and for 3 months she could not consume any food orally. Roopa was removed from the situation before she could be murdered.
Without a doubt women in India are the victims. Many of the women in India are no different than Roopa. They are thrown into a situation they cannot avoid without bringing shame upon their family. Either way the women are doomed. Bride burning and dowry death are not friends of women. Maybe one day the dowry laws can be strengthened and enforced, so they can all have someone to rescue them like Roopa.

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