The provision of a loan to buy a buffalo offers a way out for nine women who have been trapped in ritualised prostitution in India.

Last year, a party from Dalit Freeedom Network UK (DFN) visited the work of our partners in India, Operation Mercy India Foundation (OMIF). We met one group of former ‘devadasi’ – women in ritualised prostitution - at the home of a volunteer worker, a lean-to shack by the side of a road. We learnt that the women had been dedicated as devadasi when they were very young children. Most of them could not remember when their virginity had been sold – they presume they had been drugged – but for many of them they had barely reached puberty. Most were then taken to brothels in the nearby cities to be ‘broken in’, and returned six months later, resigned to a lifetime of prostitution, either to the truckers’ brothels on the main state roads, or in their village.

We spoke to them about their life now, as they tried to eke out an existence labouring in the fields for 40 pence a day. They did not speak of their devadasi role in current terms. Devadasi is outlawed, so that is not surprising. We could not help but wonder what they did when they needed to supplement their income. Some of them had children, and they spoke of their desire to see them educated so that they did not follow in their mother’s footsteps.

Solutions

We asked the women what would help them. They laughed, and replied, “Give us money”, but we know that this was an inadequate solution as it does not teach them to take responsibility. We spoke about getting them cows so that they could earn an income. Another suggestion was to provide milling equipment, so that they could form a cooperative to mill the crops that we could see around us.

Recently we heard that a generous gift from a DFN UK supporter had enabled OMIF to give each of the women loans to buy a water buffalo. This means they have an opportunity to earn money so that they do not have to resort to prostitution in order that they and their children can survive. Water buffalo stay healthier in these rural areas than domestic cows, and they produce more milk. The women not only have their own supply of milk, but they can sell it, earning more than they would in the fields. They have formed a Self-Help Group where they save some of their earnings in a microfinance scheme. As they pay off their loans, further loans can be made to members of the group to help them set up or expand basic businesses, and give them a means of independence. For these former devadasis this is the beginning of freedom, giving them economic independence and social status.

Breaking the chains of ancientmodern slavery

This is just one example of how DFN UK can make a difference in the lives of women who were without hope of ever being able to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation. It is part of a comprehensive approach by OMIF in their work of preventing trafficking, alongside healthcare – particularly for those with HIV/AIDS, education and other economic initiatives.

Click here to find out how you can help.

Together we can bring an end to the trafficking of India’s Dalits.