Deputy Speaker Thakur Vows to Fight Dowry System Until Her Last Breath

Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur has expressed her commitment to continue the fight against the dowry system until her last breath. She addressed a large gathering on Sunday in Gaucharan Bazaar, Chandranagar Rural Municipality–2, Sarlahi, focused on the eradication of child marriage and dowry practices, emphasizing that only through social equal treatment can the dowry system be ended.

Speaking at the event under the slogan, “Child marriage destroys life; let’s end dowry and save daughters,” Deputy Speaker Thakur highlighted the increasing violence against daughters caused by the dowry system, especially in the Madhesh region. She stated, “Due to dowry-related pressure, many daughters and daughters-in-law have lost their lives, and there is also the distressing reality of female fetuses being aborted.”

Thakur pointed out that the dowry system is deeply entrenched in Madhesh and its effects are beginning to appear in other parts of the country. She stressed that without behavioral change, such social evils cannot be eliminated. She also underscored the importance of providing daughters with education and opportunities equal to those of sons.

Member of Parliament Nitima Bhandari Karki emphasized the need for active involvement of both women and the youth generation in ending the dowry system. Rajkumar Mahto, Chairperson of the Rural Municipality, informed that the municipality has been honoring guardians who marry off their daughters only after they turn twenty years old.

For the past four years, the rural municipality has been offering a financial incentive of NPR 50,000 for daughters who graduate from grade 12 and marry after turning 20. To date, 157 girls have received NPR 50,000, while 197 have been given NPR 11,000 in support, the municipality reported. At the event, 354 daughters and their families were honored by Deputy Speaker Thakur.