Yes She Rises has launched a global call-to-action campaign to help empower devadasis within five villages near Hospet. The aim of the campaign is to conduct a week-long workshop for a group of devadasis, document the learning and share it with the world. Our previous experiments with small groups have proved these women are capable of learning a new language and acquire new skills very quickly. We still need $12,000 to launch the project.
The campaign will center around a 7-day incubator literacy and skills training project for selected groups of devadasis taken from five villages within north Karnataka. The learning process, personal experiences, musings will be documented to create engaging shorts to be shared globally through social media and other. It is our hope that these stories and experiences will inspire others to carry on this work to empower all devadasi communities.
The cause Devadasis are women of poor untouchable communities who are sacrificed into prostitution at a young age in the name of religion. The tradition has been illegal since 1982 but it continues to exist in North-interior districts of Karnataka, India. Poverty, illiteracy and absence of economic opportunities are used as weapons to coerce devadasi mothers to give away their daughters into this practice.
About Us Yes She Rises is formed of volunteers passionate about this cause. The founder of the Devadasi_NOW Project, Indrani Nayar-Gall, has been examining this social atrocity for the past nine years. Her debut documentary film Devadasi_NOW, and her art practice speak of this issue. The film has been shown in several film festivals and has won an Outstanding Achievement Award.
The resilience, bravery and courage of these mothers are phenomenal. A little help is of very little risk to us but means much to them! Check our website. Arrange a screening of the film to learn more about these incredible women. Give to this project to see them RISE.
Learn More: https://www.indraninayargall.com/film/