A small gate and padlock is all that separates the 40 women at the Nari Niketan or women's shelter home in Karnal and the outside world. It’s not much, but for the women here this shelter is a haven. Many do not want to leave even to go back home. Almost half of the 40 women here are those who have been sold off as brides against their will and most end up here if they are lucky and manage to escape.
