The semi-arranged marriages of India: UN Report

The Indian marriage system is evolving to become more conducive for women, according to a UN report released on Tuesday. Titled "Progress of World's Women, 2019-20: Families in a Changing World", the report said that arranged marriages in India have evolved to become semi-arranged and self-arranged marriages. With this practice, women are able to exercise agency in several key areas of decision-making, and are also less likely to fall prey to marital violence, compared to traditional arranged marriages, especially in urban areas. On the contrary, the report also highlighted the increase in violence against women due to dowry cases, and the peaking divorce rates where the 'right to maintenance' is poorly enforced.