In June 2011, 16-year-old Jaida disappeared from her village in the state of Assam. This faded photo is what remains of her for her parents.
The business of brides —
In June 2011, 16-year-old Jaida disappeared from her village in the state of Assam. This faded photo is what remains of her for her parents.
Carl Gierstorfer
Jaida's mother, Saleha, believes her daughter was kidnapped by a trafficker who sold her into a forced marriage or prostitution. Saleha holds a dress Jaida left behind. The problem of missing women runs rampant in villages in western India.
Kidnapped by traffickers —
Jaida's mother, Saleha, believes her daughter was kidnapped by a trafficker who sold her into a forced marriage or prostitution. Saleha holds a dress Jaida left behind. The problem of missing women runs rampant in villages in western India.
Carl Gierstorfer
The demand for brides stems from the skewed sex ratios. Some areas of northwestern India have less than 800 girls born for every 1,000 boys. Unwanted female fetuses are aborted after an ultrasound, contributing to imbalances in sex ratios over the last three decades.
High demand —
The demand for brides stems from the skewed sex ratios. Some areas of northwestern India have less than 800 girls born for every 1,000 boys. Unwanted female fetuses are aborted after an ultrasound, contributing to imbalances in sex ratios over the last three decades.
Carl Gierstorfer
Tasleema, born in Kolkata, is one of the women who was trafficked. Her husband, Salim, who resides in Haryana state, doesn't deny paying agents to find him a bride. He says it's almost impossible for poor people like him to find a bride in his village.
Brides sold —
Tasleema, born in Kolkata, is one of the women who was trafficked. Her husband, Salim, who resides in Haryana state, doesn't deny paying agents to find him a bride. He says it's almost impossible for poor people like him to find a bride in his village.
Carl Gierstorfer
Akhleema and Tasleema, two sisters from Kolkata in eastern India, were sold as brides in Haryana state, in western India.
Sisters in peril —
Akhleema and Tasleema, two sisters from Kolkata in eastern India, were sold as brides in Haryana state, in western India.
Carl Gierstorfer
India's northwestern state are patriarchal with village councils, called Khap Panchayats, like this one in Uttar Pradesh, enforce harsh and ultra-conservative interpretation of the law.
Local laws —
India's northwestern state are patriarchal with village councils, called Khap Panchayats, like this one in Uttar Pradesh, enforce harsh and ultra-conservative interpretation of the law.
Carl Gierstorfer