By Mercy Kappen
A Journey Towards Gender Justice
I have been with Visthar ever since its inception in 1989. Here, I found a platform for my passion and have been playing a significant role as a ‘co-creator’ of the institute and currently as the Executive Director. My passion for social justice was ignited in the late 1980s by my mentor, Sebastian Kappen, a renowned philosopher and liberation theologian. My work also draws deep inspiration from Paulo Freire’s philosophy of education as liberation. Our gender trainings are built on Freire’s methods, encouraging participants to critically analyze real-life situations, identify root causes, and develop actionable plans for change. This is an ongoing journey – a continuous cycle of reflection, learning, and collaboration. Our goal is to create a space where women and girls are not merely observers or beneficiaries, but active agents of change in their own lives and communities. Working with communities in South India solidified my commitment to fighting for a just world.
Our journey towards gender justice began in 1991 with a workshop titled “Understanding Feminism.” This workshop opened our eyes to a new perspective, prompting us to create forums for community leaders to delve deeper. These forums explored how gender shapes every aspect of life, from the economy and education to healthcare and the prevalence of violence. Our reach extended beyond India, as we offered training programs to NGOs and faith-based organizations across Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. Early on, we grasped the vital connection between dismantling caste and class inequalities to achieving true gender equality. These systems are like intertwined roots and hence the need for an intersectional approach to deal with the multiple oppressions and marginalization.
In 1995, a study we conducted on violence against women sparked the creation of Bandhavi. This shelter home became a haven for women in crisis, particularly for the survivors of domestic violence. Bandhavi provided a safe space for healing and rebuilding lives, offering legal aid, medical care, counseling, and vocational training, empowering women to move forward with confidence. In 2005, Bandhavi shifted its focus to supporting girls at risk, especially those from the devadasi community. Our program equips them with the tools they need to build self-esteem, understand the social injustices they face, and develop the leadership skills necessary to take control of their lives. Today, over 150 girls directly benefit from this holistic, residential empowerment program.
Lingering Stigma:
The Devadasi System in Karnataka
The Devadasi system carries a complex and often misconstrued legacy. While romanticized in certain circles of India as a tradition of temple dancers and musicians, it masks a deeper history of exploitation and marginalization for young girls and women. The Devadasi system finds its roots in ancient India, with historical evidence suggesting its presence in Karnataka as early as the 6th century. Initially associated with temple rituals and performances, the interpretation and practice of the system evolved over time. However, the core element remained the dedication of young girls, often from marginalized communities, to a deity through a ceremony resembling a marriage.
Despite being officially banned in 1982 under the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act, the practice continues to exist in certain pockets of the state. This persistence underscores the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of the system, empower its survivors, and dismantle the social and economic factors that perpetuate its existence.
Bandhavi: A Beacon of Hope
The scars that the Devadasi system left run deep. In the face of the ongoing challenges faced by Devadasi women and their girl children, the Bandhavi project initiated by Visthar in 2005 stands as a beacon of hope. The mission of the project is to empower girls at risk, fostering self-reliance and dignity. Bandhavi implements various strategies to achieve this, including:
Residential care facilities: Providing safe and secure housing for girls from Devadasi families allows them to access education and healthcare facilities while fostering a supportive environment.
Leadership development programs: These programs equip girls with the skills and confidence to advocate for their rights and become agents of change within their communities.
Education: Providing access to quality education, including life skills, vocational training, and higher education opportunities, equips girls with the skills and knowledge to gain economic independence and build fulfilling careers.
Healthcare: Ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services, including reproductive health awareness, is crucial for the well-being of Devadasi women and their families.
Building a Support Network: Bandhavi creates a safe space for women to share their experiences, access counseling services, and build a strong support network, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
A Collective Responsibility: The Devadasi system in Karnataka serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities, particularly women and girls. Recognizing its harmful legacy and ensuring the well-being of its survivors is a collective responsibility. By raising awareness, and advocating for change, we can work towards a future where every individual can enjoy their fundamental rights and live a life of dignity and opportunity.
The Dark Side of the System:
A Web of Exploitation
The Devadasi system in Karnataka, while often romanticized, masks a brutal reality for young girls and women. Here, we delve into the exploitative aspects that defined this system:
- Forced Dedication and Denial of Basic Rights
Girls, as young as four or five, were dedicated to deities through a ceremony called “dedication”or “marriage” to the temple. This robbed them of their childhood and denied them the right to choose their future. Education was considered unnecessary for Devadasis, further limiting their opportunities and perpetuating their dependence on the system. They were denied the right to marry or form families.
2. Sexual Exploitation and Gender-Based Violence
Devadasis were often pressured or forced into prostitution, either by priests, dominant-caste men, or temple authorities. This exploitation exposed them to physical and emotional abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and social stigma. They had no control over their bodies or lives, leading to constant vulnerability to non-consensual sexual activity.
3. Perpetuation by Social and Economic Factors Families from marginalized communities, trapped in poverty, saw dedicating their daughters as a means of survival, hoping for financial support from the temple or patrons. The rigid caste system played a significant role. Devadasis, mostly from lower castes, were seen as “impure” and deemed suitable for such a life, perpetuating their marginalization. Limited opportunities for women in education, employment, and overall societal participation made the Devadasi system appear as the only option for some families.
4. The Lingering Stigma The social stigma associated with the Devadasi system continues to haunt many women, hindering their opportunities for employment, education, and social acceptance. Their families struggle with poverty and lack access to basic resources like quality education, healthcare, and secure housing. This lack of resources further restricts their ability to break free from the cycle of marginalization.
5. Intergenerational Trauma and Psychological ImpactThe experiences of exploitation and societal exclusion leaves a lasting psychological impact on Devadasi women and their families. This manifests in various forms, including depression, anxiety, and difficulty forming trusting relationships.