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ESSAY: DARING TO DREAM

Jogini

In an article published ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March, SALLY BRUCE*, who works in communications for the Dignity Freedom Network in Australia/New Zealand, looks at how the organisation is helping those impacted by the illegal practice of designating girls Joginis – and how you can help… 

For over 2,000 years, the 250 million-plus people of India who fall below the caste system have been considered ‘untouchable’. These people have taken the name ‘Dalit’ for themselves. The word means ‘crushed’, ‘oppressed’ or ‘broken’ and they believe this epitomises their reality.

Although gaining equal status under the law 60 years ago, little has changed in their daily lives and they face widespread discrimination, exploitation, oppression and segregation in healthcare, education, and housing. While most Dalits suffer degrading and appalling conditions and discrimination, many are trapped in various forms of bonded labour and slavery. Women are considered to be of less value than men. Horrific stories of female infanticide are emerging in a country that devalues girl babies. 

Jogini

A Jogini girl during a ceremony. PICTURE: Supplied.

 

“The plight of a Jogini is a hidden terror, denied by the authorities and ignored by the global community.”

Some girls, however, are selected for a special role, that of a Jogini. As young as five or six, these girls are dedicated to the temple goddess in the form of a wedding. Dedicated without their consent, these girls have little idea what being a Jogini means; a life of horrific ritualised abuse. As this is religiously sanctioned, Joginis have no hope of escape. They suffer from depression, mental health issues, STDs and HIV/AIDS, and a high incidence of alcoholism and suicide. The plight of a Jogini is a hidden terror, denied by the authorities and ignored by the global community.

Solamma** grew up in a very poor family, the daughter of a Jogini. Her mother was forced into ritual sex slavery after reaching puberty, and was used and abused by men in the village, believing it was her destiny. As Joginis are not paid for ‘their services’ her mother survived by making beedis (like cigarettes). The man living with them was not her father, and did not provide for them. 

Due to stigma and harassment, Solamma was forced to leave school when she was just 12-years-old. She found work as a domestic maid, however soon after she began working at the house, she was devastated when the owner raped her. 

Feeling defiled and violated, Solamma confided in her mother but was distraught when she responded, “it’s bringing an income, I will get you more clients”.

Over the following months Solamma became clinically depressed, suffered from multiple illnesses and wandered around the streets hoping someone would kill her. The wretched girl wasn’t brave enough to kill herself.

Although the Jogini practice was outlawed in 1988, it continues to be practiced today in rural villages in parts of southern India, causing physical, mental, social, economic and spiritual devastation to these women and girls. Thousands of low caste women and girls are  condemned to a lifetime of terrifying abuse. Those trapped in the system suffer physically, mentally, socially, and economically. 

DFN partner with Good Shepherd Ministries, a nationally run organisation under the umbrella of the Anglican Church, working to eradicate this heinous system. Our team explain to Joginis that the practice is illegal and that they do not have to accept the violations and abuse. Our team empower these precious women and girls, pray for them, care for them, and explain that they are created in God’s image. They provide healthcare and counselling, skills training and advocacy. Former Joginis join our team and live in the very villages where they have suffered unimaginable abuse. They receive ongoing training and become Jogini Village Leaders, enabling other Joginis to leave the practice, advocating for their rights, and preventing the dedications of vulnerable girls.   

One of our Jogini Village Leaders recently noticed Solamma, learned of her story, and reached out to her. She assisted the desperate girl and facilitated her joining one of our shelters. Here Solamma received health care and counselling in a nurturing environment. As she was too far behind to go to school, Solamma received six months of vocational training. 

Today Solamma lives in our shelter. She has a job in a local tailoring business, is doing well and is content. She is growing in confidence and sends money home to help her mother.

Best of all, Solamma is discovering that people care about her and that she has inherent God-determined value and worth. While her youth has been destroyed and health damaged, she has a future and a hope as she heads into adulthood. 

In villages where we have a Jogini Village Leader, we are seeing a significant decline in the incidence of dedications, and many Joginis empowered to leave the practice. Our goal is to see the practice eradicated entirely. 

“In villages where we have a Jogini Village Leader, we are seeing a significant decline in the incidence of dedications, and many Joginis empowered to leave the practice. Our goal is to see the practice eradicated entirely.”

International Women’s Day (8th March) provides a platform to be a voice for women and girls like Solamma and her mother. Just $250 supports a Jogini Village Leader working in her village for an entire year. Currently we support 260 brave Jogini Village Leaders who all need support for this next year, however our goal is to raise more increments of $250 so we can expand into more villages so more girls like Solamma can be reached and encounter a God who lives them and discover their worth in Him. 

We are inviting people and groups to help us by running local fund-raisers until March 17th. In 2019, churches ran clothes swaps, mothers’ groups held morning teas, others sewed, made jewellery and donated the sales. These initiatives raised funds that helped to expand the ministry into 58 new villages. 

This year we hope to see funds raised to support these same 58 villages for another year. But we want more. We want to continue to expand bringing hope and dignity to these precious women and girls.  

For information as to how you can participate in our annual International Women’s Day campaign, send an email to [email protected], phone 1800 949 774 or visit www.dfn.org.auFollow us on Facebook and Instagram.

* Sally Bruce works in communications for the Dignity Freedom Network. Her name has been changed for security reasons.

** Name has been changed.

 

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