KATHMANDU, July 23: The government is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign against the dowry system, beginning in Madhesh Province, following discussions between Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security Sita Badi and Deputy Speaker Ruby Kumari.
During a meeting at the ministry on Wednesday, the two discussed rolling out a phased national awareness campaign that would first be implemented in Madhesh before expanding across the country.
The campaign is expected to involve local governments, schools, communities, religious and social leaders, youth, women’s groups, and civil society organizations to raise awareness against the practice.
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Both leaders described the dowry system as one of the major causes of violence against women, gender discrimination, and social injustice, stressing that its elimination would require stricter enforcement of existing laws, effective monitoring, and sustained public awareness efforts.
Minister Badi said the dowry system is not only a legal issue but also a deep-rooted social challenge, requiring a collective commitment from the state, local governments, educational institutions, civil society, the media, and local communities. She emphasized that legal enforcement should be accompanied by efforts to bring about behavioral and social change.
Deputy Speaker Ruby Kumari expressed confidence that launching the campaign from Madhesh would send a strong national message against the dowry system. She said building a dowry-free society would require effective coordination among the federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as active collaboration from all stakeholders.
The meeting also discussed strengthening legal provisions against the dowry system, institutionalizing public awareness campaigns, and enhancing coordination among relevant agencies.
