A Textbook Listing Dowry Benefits Undermines Women's Empowerment, says NCW

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 6 April 2022

The National Commission for Women (NCW) requested intervention and remedial action from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in response to a sociology textbook for nurses that outlined the benefits of dowry. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi published an image from the textbook, prompting the action. One of the four benefits of dowry highlighted in the graphic was that "ugly looking girls can be married off with gorgeous dowry." The page is from TK Indrani's Textbook of Sociology for Nurses, and it's titled "The Merits of Dowry."

The Shiv Sena MP criticised the textbook's content, saying, "It is appalling how such derogatory and problematic text remains in circulation and that a textbook elaborating the merits of dowry can actually exist in our curriculum is a shame for the nation and its constitution."

In its letter, NCW stated, "As stated in the media reports, the material suggests that getting a share of parental property in dowry is one of the "merits" of the regressive practice. In the book's cover, it is reported to be written according to the syllabus of the Indian Nursing Council.”

Dowry is a deep-rooted societal evil in India, according to the Commission, and portraying it in a good light would impede women's empowerment.

The letter continued, "The matter is of serious concern and the Commission has taken cognizance. It sends a very wrong message to the students about the prevailing menace of 'dowry’.”

Despite the fact that dowry is a criminal conduct, Chaturvedi said it is terribly regrettable that such antiquated attitudes have persevered.

She continued, "It is even more concerning that students are being exposed to such regressive content and no action has been taken so far. Such reinforcement of the dowry system is offensive and should be actioned upon immediately."