Dowry refers to the cash, gifts, property and material goods the man receives from the wife’s family at the time of marriage. Dowry was earlier a way of helping with the marriage expenses but now it has become a way of paying the groom’s family for taking on the burden of a woman. Due to this aspect the birth of a girl in a family is considered as an expense, and if the family is poor it puts more strain on the family. There are many reasons for dowry giving and taking. The concern by the girl’s parents to provide a good and happy life to their daughter forces them to pay large amounts as dowry much beyond their means. Borrowing money at high interest rates to pay dowry often puts the family in perennial debt. Dowry is a social custom, practised for generations. Changing such customs is very difficult. This custom puts the young woman at very high risk. The woman who brings in little dowry is at the mercy of the husband’s family, as they may ill treat her, harass her and indulge in violence and torture. It is sad to note that even in the presence of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, dowry deaths are becoming more prevalent, indicating that mere laws do not help in the eradication of this social evil. Effective implementation, active involvement and cooperation of society in removing this evil must be sought. Boys and girls must be educated, taught to respect each other, and refusals of dowry are some ways of eradicating this social evil.