“Subjugation is Not Your Destiny” – International Women’s Day

Saturday March 8th marks International Women’s Day and in keeping with this year’s theme of “accelerating action” social justice organisation Dignity Freedom Network is celebrating a milestone liberating women and girls from India’s harmful Jogini practice.

Key Points

Legally banned in India, the Jogini tradition involves “dedicating [girls] in a marriage-like ceremony to a temple goddess” where “they become the property of the village to be used and abused by men”.

Dignity Freedom Network spokesperson Kate told Hope 103.2 it’s been two full years since they’ve seen any dedications in the 350 villages where they work – which wasn’t the case when it was first outlawed.

“The dedications were continuing and it was this uphill battle,” Kate said.

“But now [we’re] actually seeing the practice come to a stop.”

Jogini tradition involves “dedicating [girls] in a marriage-like ceremony to a temple goddess” where “they become the property of the village to be used and abused by men”.

Rates of women returning to sex work after being freed – known as “recidivism” – has also declined in recent years.

“Because we’re addressing the drivers of why these little girls are being dedicated,” Kate said.

“We’re seeing the recidivism rates are almost non-existent.

“The women who come out are empowered, and they’re the ones driving this response and seeing the practice come to an end.”

Part of the work Dignity Freedom Network do is to educate girls about the Jogini tradition, using the insights of the women who’ve escaped it to lead the teaching.

It’s been two full years since the Dignity Freedom Network team has seen any dedications in the 350 villages where they work.

“They’re the ones who go back into the village and have such a passion to rescue other women,” Kate said.

“They also have this incredible drive to protect little girls.

“We’re really addressing sustainability and community development within the villages and changing the mindset of the people there.”

Dignity Freedom Network tells women and girls that sexual subjugation is not their destiny – there’s a life beyond the one they’ve been forced to live.

The main message Dignity Freedom Network want women and girls to hear is that sexual subjugation is not their destiny and that there’s a life beyond the one they’ve been forced to live.

“They’re actually created in God’s image: they have value, they have worth,” Kate said.

“It’s letting them know that they are important and that there’s people that care about them.”

Find out more about sponsoring the work of Dignity Freedom Network or running your own campaign via their website.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro