Dowry murders are widespread in South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Nepal). A few figures: according to government reports, 5,817 dowry murders took place in 1993 with 4,936 taking place in 1994 and 4,811 in 1995. In Pakistan death cases rose according to informal estimates from 1,100 in 1980 to 1,800 in 1990. However the unreported number of cases may be very high. Many victims die from their injuries before an exact examination of how they occurred can take place; survivors often refuse to make a statement because they are scared.

First the women are mentally and physically abused by their husbands and families. Since returning to their parents' home does not come into question because of the "dishonour", many of them choose to commit suicide. The remaining women are normally drenched in kerosene and set alight. Kerosene ovens can be found in most homes, which is why murders of this type are reported as being "kitchen accidents".

The main reason for dowry murders are financial in character, for instance, when the parents of the bride are not in the position to pay the bride price, if they cannot meet additional demands for payment, or if the husband wishes to gain access to a new dowry by marrying again.

What is Being Done Against Dowry murders? Paying dowries has been against the law in India since 1961. The penal code was supplemented with an article stating that the husband and his relatives are to be made responsible for each unnatural death of a wife during the first seven years of marriage until they are proven innocent, if previous chicanery can be proven. Dowry murders continue to be committed however.

[Author: Dorette Wesemann, Edited by: Ragnar Müller]

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