NEW DELHI: Harassed for dowry and cheated of her property by her in-laws after her husband's death, Sushila Kajala fought back to claim what was rightfully hers and is now helping other women in becoming financially independent.

Kajala, a resident of Sannaud village in Delhi, was on the occasion of International Women's Day, presented a `bravery award' instituted by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). "My in-laws had taken nearly Rs 20 lakh from me as dowry. After my husband's demise, they usurped my 600 square feet land," she said.

With the help of DCW, she got back her land and money and began an NGO -- Mahila Mandal Samiti -- that today has 500 members and teaches embroidery to women to make them financially independent.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur, who was chief guest at the award function, conferred the honor on Kajala. "Stopping female foeticide and ensuring womens' economic independence are two of the most pressing needs for improving the status of women in the society," Kaur said.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said the ministry was working towards providing financial freedom to women by giving them loans from the National Women's Fund. "We have equal rights as men. The 21st century is women's century," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.