Dowry is not dead yet, some Indian women are
Current Affairs
On October 13, 2021, the Additional Sessions Court in Kollam, Kerala, imposed 2 life sentences on a man for murdering his wife using a cobra.
This was his second attempt to kill his wife with a snake bite; having used a viper already back in May. The wife, Uthra, was still recuperating from the first attack at her parent’s house when Sooraj, who wanted to usurp all of her properties, gold and money, threw the snake at her.
Her parents have stated that Sooraj and his family harassed Uthra constantly for more dowry.
7000 dowry-related deaths in 2020
Beneath the bizarre overlay of this case, lies a jarring truth: Dowry in India is not history yet!
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), nearly 7000 cases of dowry-related deaths were reported in 2020 alone.
The tragic deaths by murder/ suicide of Ayesha Banu, Rashika Agarwal, Vismaya Nair, Suchitra and numerous unreported others attest to the fact that the practice of dowry is superglued to India’s social fabric.
Persistent dowry inflation
According to the most recent source of dowry data, the ‘2006 Rural Economic and Demographic Survey’ which studied 40,000 marriages in rural areas between 1960 and 2008, dowry was paid in about 95% of marriages.
In recent times, Kerala saw a startling rise in dowry deaths, a state with the highest literacy rates and education. Uttar Pradesh continues to report the highest dowry-related crimes in India, with Bihar coming a close second.
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
Although the Dowry Prohibition Act was passed in 1961, families have continued to demand and offer dowry under the garb of “streedhan” or “gift” to the bride and bridegroom.
It is evident that dowry as a practice disseminates across social hierarchies, education status, and geographies. Most victims are either fatally thrashed, burnt alive or harassed mentally and physically, pushing them to take their own lives.
Giving as well as taking dowry is a punishable offence
The punishment for offenders is up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine of INR 15,000 or the value of dowry, whichever is more. Section 304B and 498A cover dowry deaths and cruelty or domestic violence in relation to dowry demands under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Indian laws also render this crime non-bailable and non-compoundable which means that parties are not allowed to enter a compromise.
Law fails to meet fundamental requirement
Critics of Indian anti-dowry laws often call them vague, biased and easy to misuse.
Section 489A especially bears the brunt, because it requires no investigation or evidence before an arrest and thus, leads to incarceration of innocent men and women.*
Critics also argue that the law fails to meet its fundamental requirement: protecting women from abuse and harassment in the first place.
Although reported dowry deaths show a modest but steady decline from ~8500 deaths in 2014, we still have a long way to go to uproot the malpractice and other social issues related to it, such as female infanticide and violence against women.
*The introduction of investigation, proposed in Maharashtra Police Manual, prior to arrest secures innocent people from being swept up by law enforcement.
But can law alone help?
Needs to be tackled by society, not just law
Dr. Vageshwari Deswal, a law professor at the University of Delhi, suggests that because dowry is a social malaise, it can only be tackled by society. The laws target offenders but offer no relief to victims.
Social boycott and refusal to participate in any weddings that encourage dowry could be the first step.
Empowering girls to stand for themselves and educating children on equality will help instil values of self-worth and kindness
Spend money on education
Dr Deswal also stresses the need to spend money on education to make children financially independent and self-reliant instead of colossal weddings. She suggests that the judiciary pass guidelines to regulate such expenditure.
Ntasha Bhardwaj, the founder of the South Asian Institute of Crime and Justice Studies, proposes that further changes to the law should ensure protection of the rights of victims and the accused.
Mental health startup fundings at an all-time high
Business
Ever used the meditation app, Headspace?
It is now one of the largest startups focused on mental health.
In August 2021, one of the most popular meditation apps, 'Headspace', announced its merger with Ginger, creating one of the largest startups focused on mental health, called - Headspace Health.
Headspace Health will have a valuation of USD 3 billion!
Founded in 2010, Headspace has more than 30 million users in over 190 countries. On the other hand, Ginger, independently valued at USD 1 billion, helps corporates provide mental health benefits to their employees, and has over 25 million users.
US alone has 7 mental health unicorns!
In 2020, mental health start-ups in the US raised ~USD 1.5 billion, setting an all-time record.
Mental health startup funding has grown 5.5x - from USD 275 million just 4 years ago!
In just the first quarter of 2021, funding for mental health start-ups has grown to USD 795 million.
Rise in fundings in India as well
Indian mental health startups raised just USD 20 million between 2016 and 2020, compared to the massive USD 556 million raised by US startups during the same period.
However, the mental health industry has been gaining traction in India as well.
As of August 18, 2021, the sector raised about USD 10.74 million, a 5X jump from all of last year.
Wysa raised USD 5.5 million
Earlier this year, one of the largest Indian mental health start-ups, 'Wysa' raised USD 5.5. million as Series A funding. Currently, present in 65 countries, Wysa claims to have 10+ million users worldwide.
Many other startups are making long strides in India, including:
MindClan
KahaMind
ePsyClinic
The Alternative Story
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