It is well known that boys are traditionally favored in Indian culture. Abortions of female fetuses have led to a gender imbalance across the country. In Mewat district in the northern state of Haryana the situation is particularly acute: there are 879 women for every 1,000 men. The national average is 927 women for 1,000 men. As many men cannot find women to marry, bride trafficking has become prevalent. Girls are bought from their families in other states when they are still young and married to local men. They are often badly treated both within the home and in the wider community where they are seen as outsiders.