The scope and scale of trafficking in India is massive. Dalit Freedom Network cannot tackle every aspect of this human rights violation. This is why we seek to work in partnership with other organisations. We also have specific issues and campaign focuses. These will change over time, but they are all geared to bringing an end to the trafficking of India’s Dalits. Stay up to date with the latest campaigns news and updates by signing up on our response form.

[breaking the bondage of the beads]

Our current focus is on helping some of the 250,000 women who are trapped in ritualised prostitution in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. Most of them were enslaved unwittingly when they were still small children. The necklaces of red and white beads they wear symbolise their bondage. [Read more...]

[bringing hope]

The programme¹ is based around some key initiatives including:

• An HIV/AIDS clinic providing AIDS awareness, testing, diagnosis and treatment, as well as counselling for the women.
• A school which provides a quality education in the English medium includes children of these Devadasi among its pupils. This helps provide a way out of the cycle of poverty and exploitation which would otherwise see them following in their mothers’ footsteps.
• A refuge home for those women escaping from life trapped in ritualised prostitution. This provides safety and security as women look to rebuild their lives and to be reintegrated into society.
• A children's refuge shelter providing security and care for the daughters of Joginis in Andhra Pradesh.
• A prevention and awareness programme in a district of Andhra Pradesh where it is believed that every other day another young girl is dedicated to the goddess.

[community transformation]

All of this is part of a strategy to bring holistic transformation to whole communities. By transforming villages (in which Devadasi and Jogini live) through education, economic development, healthcare and advocacy initiatives, not only will the situation of trafficking victims change, but so will attitudes which in the past have perpetuated the injustices.

DFN UK is campaigning to bring an end to the trafficking of India's Dalits. Become a Dalit Freedom Champion and join us in the fight to bring justice, hope and freedom to Dalit men, women, and children. [Read more...]

 

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¹Our development and anti-trafficking projects are run by our Indian partners, Operation Mercy India Foundation