Give dowry that is useful to women

Don’t send your daughters as dependent to husband’s house. Give them liberally income generating properties and not a sofa or refrigerator. Daughters must get their share in the property on par with the sons.

We have more stringent laws. Whatever and however stringent laws you make, you can’t stop dowry deaths. Just give them their due share in the property. That will help address the menace of dowry in this country said Madhu Kishwar, renowned journalist and noted social activist

She was addressing the 500-plus gathering of women on Thursday evening at the National Women’s Summit being organised by Pragna Bharathi, an NGO for prominent think-tank of India. Madhu Kishwar was one of the many speakers who was invited to address the gathering at this 3-day conference being held at ShilpakalaVedika at Madhapur.

Speaking further, Madhu Kishwar said, I boycotted Dowry Weddings. In the 13 years I have only attended two marriages. That too they were marriages of my brothers. Rest I didn’t because there was no wedding without dowry, she informed.

Parents must give inheritance rights to their daughter. Your rights become meaningful, when everyone celebrates, she said. Don’t send them to their in-laws homes as dependents. Courts making stringent laws won’t solve this problem. NT Rama Rao was the first Chief Minister in India to amend Hindu Success Act to give a right in the property to daughters, she informed.

Draconian Laws have their share of disadvantages. The corrupt government officials, advocates, women misuse them, she said. She asked her audience to raise hands to how many of them read various women centric laws such as Rape Law, Anti Dowry Law, Domestic Violence etc. But, for her utter surprise, only handful of women raised their hands. Government has passed many laws in your protection and you don’t even read them, she asked.