Rautahat, daijo virodh abhiyaan ma mahila. RAJBIRAJ: Hawiban Khatun, a woman in her mid-50s, in Bakadhuwa-6, Saptari, has begun a crusade against dowry, a deep-rooted social evil, in Tarai districts. Khatun, who has four sons, said she never accepted dowry from her daughter-in-laws’ families. “Though I’m not educated, I have always regarded the practice as a curse on girls’ families,” said Khatun, adding, “After witnessing the impact of dowry on my sisters and daughters, I have denounced this practice.” Her family had given her husband nine kattha land in dowry. “It was then when I first realised how difficult it is for poor families to marry off their daughters,” said Khatun. “I’m lucky in the sense that my husband and sons were not brought up in a traditional manner. They have always supported me in this campaign.” Various women rights activists have hailed Khatun’s campaign. “A woman like her can be