A study conducted by the U.N. revealed that just eight years after India amended the Hindu Succession Act that gives equal inheritance rights to agricultural land to sons and daughters, a dowry is still considered ‘adequate’ compensation for inheritance. Even though the law did not accomplish its goal, the study shows the positive impact similar laws have had. Andhra Pradesh, a state in India, has had a similar law for 20 years longer than Bihar and Madya Pradesh, and has experienced four times the rate of female inheritance. Additionally, the rate of female inheritance has increased substantially in Andhra Pradesh.
See Just One In 10 Women Inherits Land, The Hindu, Nov. 28, 2013.
