Our Pratigya Children’s Shelter in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is a specialised facility designed to prevent Dalit children being sold for sex when they reach puberty and be condemned to a lifetime of exploitation and poverty. Jogini is a form of ritualised prostitution where girls are dedicated to a goddess as young children, with little understanding of what is in store for them. Despite the practice having been outlawed some thirty years ago, there could be as many as 100,000 Joginis in Andhra Pradesh. Almost all Joginis are Dalits – untouchables – falling below India’s rigid caste system and denied basic human rights. 90% of Joginis are following in their mother’s footsteps.

Preventing generational sexual exploitation

The children’s shelter provides the daughters of Joginis with a safe and healthy place to live, a nutritious diet, access to quality education, and most importantly a loving and caring environment. This not only removes them from extreme vulnerability and poverty in their home village, but provides them with skills and knowledge to make a living so that they do not have to resort to prostitution. Girls are only admitted to the programme with the full and willing consent of their mothers. They have access to private tutors, healthcare, social workers and mental health evaluation. They are tutored in the English language to enable them to enrol in an English medium school: English is the key to better jobs, education and opportunities in India, and is often denied to Dalits.

The aims of this project are:

• To decrease the occurrence of sex trafficking in Andhra Pradesh through the pre-emptive care of girls who are vulnerable to entering the Jogini system
• To provide education and healthcare as a means of empowering young girls through greater economic opportunity
• To care for and prevent the trafficking of 100 children at any given time

Current activity and future plans

The shelter is currently located in rented accommodation providing places for 15 children. Two full-time wardens provide 24-hour care, and are supported by a cook who lives in the shelter. In addition at least 5 other tutors and social workers are available daily to assist the children in their studies and personal development.

The next development stage is to purchase land that will house a custom-designed children’s shelter with facilities for up to 100 children, alongside other projects including a short-term women’s shelter, counselling centre, economic empowerment projects, and office facilities for the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of our Indian partner organisation.

You can help fund our Pratigya Children's Shelter by giving online.

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