Log on for a Dowry-Free Union

Muslim-dominated Nilambur village panchayat in Kerala celebrated Women’s Day this year by launching a website for people willing to marry without the exchange of dowry.

Muslim-dominated Nilambur Village Panchayat in Kerala celebrated Women’s Day this year by launching a website for people willing to marry without the exchange of dowry. The website is a collaborative venture between the panchayat and women’s rights NGO Mahila Samakhya Society. Anyone can register on dowryfreemarriage.com, and upload their profiles for free. Since Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan launched the project on 8 March, 1,635 people have registered on the site. Panchayat president Aryadan Shoukath says the panchayat will conduct a dowry-free mass marriage in May for couples who met through the website.