After decades of sex-selection abortions, some areas of Asia have far more unmarried men than women.  With a shortage of marriageable women, thousands in northern India have been sold to men who are unable to find wives.  Many women are bought and sold several times.

The wrinkles on Sumari's face betray her troubled past, making her look far older than the nearly 40 years she believes she is.

Widowed young, she was brought from her native village to northern India and sold to a man who abused her sexually and physically, and imprisoned her and her daughter in his house.

"It went on for three or four months, until he sold us off to another man," says Mumtaz, Sumari's daughter, who is now about 20.

Sumari is one of the more fortunate ones: After being sold numerous times, she ended up with a husband who treats her decently.

Experts say abortion of female foetuses because of the traditional Hindu preference for sons in this male-dominated society has led to a severe shortage of women in Haryana [state], and upset the sex balance nationwide.

The problem is compounded by the custom of youthful marriage, leading to a high rate of maternal mortality during childbirth and, thus, even more young unmarried men.

The going price for a bride ranges from 5000 to 20,000 rupees (approx. $125 to $500).

Previous related posts: