Says, Janaki of PCVC, a campaign ally, Chennai, “The practice of dowry continues to impede gender equality. It is sad that marriages are still considered financial transactions. Many women have to even die because their families are unable to fulfill dowry demands. One cannot help but be struck by the offhand way in which a young woman’s life is ended. My work with a campaign ally exposes me to many such instances. It is extremely disturbing. Rape is another crime that happens with regularity but goes unreported. The process of recovery is slow and painful. Yet no attention has been paid to serious violations such as this. We need to change attitudes that allow such practices.”