27. Case 2:

Dilu Rawal of Paduka, Dailekh lived with her Sasu (mother-in-law) and Jethani (husband's sister-in-law) since her husband went to work in India. Dilu's family had some land but not enough to support the family needs because of this, her husband went to India. Dilu was pregnant for three months when her husband left for India. After her husband left, she was treated badly by her mother-in-law. She was not given enough food to eat which resulted to become anaemic. Noticing this, her mother-in-law used to tell lies to the neighbours saying that Dilu did not like to eat and always vomits. In reality her mother-in-law did not like her, therefore she treated her badly. There was no one to take care and love her. Finally, Dilu delivered the baby at home but died after three days. Her husband returned from India and married another woman.

Women need nutritious food in pregnancy. But in mose cases, this does not happen. Although they cook and serve, the priority is to serve the in-laws, children and other men. They have to eat the left overs which is often cold and unhealthy.  Although they need extra food for the sake of foetus inside, they eat less in most cases.

People in terai communities pay groom price known as Tilak before marrying a girl. They rates are normally determined by a bargain subject to qualification of a groom. Doctors, engineers are the most preferred and paid accordingly. This is done secretly in cash. If the bride's parents pay higher Tilak then her status is higher in husband's home though she has no control over the payment the family received.  On the other hand in hills, Daijo (dowry) normally given to a bride by her parents in cash or kinds like jewelleries, livestock units, utensils and even land. Both Tilak and Daijo consider women as a trade item. In both systems, womens' position and their control over the resources are weak and subjugated.