In India, New Seat of Power for Women

Washington Post ^ | 10/12/2009 | Emily Wax

[Saije]

An ideal groom in this dusty farming village is a vegetarian, does not drink, has good prospects for a stable job and promises his bride-to-be an amenity in high demand: a toilet.

In rural India, many young women are refusing to marry unless the suitor furnishes their future home with a bathroom, freeing them from the inconvenience and embarrassment of using community toilets or squatting in fields.

About 665 million people in India -- about half the population -- lack access to latrines. But since a "No Toilet, No Bride" campaign started about two years ago, 1.4 million toilets have been built here in the northern state of Haryana, some with government funds, according to the state's health department.

Women's rights activists call the program a revolution as it spreads across India's vast and largely impoverished rural areas.

"I won't let my daughter near a boy who doesn't have a latrine," said Usha Pagdi, who made sure that daughter Vimlas Sasva, 18, finished high school and took courses in electronics at a technical school.

"No loo? No 'I do,' " Vimlas said, laughing as she repeated a radio jingle.

****

Indian girls are traditionally seen as a financial liability because of the wedding dowries -- often a life's savings -- their fathers often shell out to the groom's family. But that is slowly changing as women marry later and grow more financially self-reliant. More rural girls are enrolled in school than ever before.

A societal preference for boys here has become an unlikely source of power for Indian women. The abortion of female fetuses in favor of sons -- an illegal but widespread practice -- means there are more eligible bachelors than potential brides, allowing women and their parents to be more selective when arranging a match.

[Saije]

An in-house toilet should be considered essential. And I see India is having the same problem China is. At some point I guess they'll figure out that you need girls to make boys.

[dog breath]

This illustrates trickle down economics, or at least trickle inside economics. Economic prosperity often translates into more power for women. When they all get washing machines, microwaves and other labor saving devices for women in the villages, the women will have much more free time. Free time translates into more interest in education and politics. While the whole toilet theme is funny, this reflects how economics and social progress should work.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Better title: “Marriage in India Going to the Crapper.”