Help rescue minor girls being forced into sex work by their own families

“Just imagine the suffering of young girls who are sold into prostitution by their own mothers as part of the unlawful Devadasi system and forced to endure lifelong exploitation and stigma. These girls are abused each day and aren't even given a break during menstruation”, says Thangaperumal Ponpandi, Founder, Children of India Foundation (CIF) - an organisation working relentlessly to end the abuse and exploitation of girls under the archaic Devadasi system.

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Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India).

Systemic oppression and exploitation of girls

“Young girls, mostly at a prepubescent age, are being sold to do sex work by their own mothers and this is all being done under the garb of a dangerous cultural practice. It is a vicious cycle where mothers who were once pushed into the Devadasi system now do the same with their children, so the earnings can continue. And in doing so, the next generation also becomes a part in the cycle of abuse”, elaborates the NGO founder.

According to Thangaperumal, “Victims of the Devadasi system are completely ostracised by society and the people who they grow up around. It is common for Devdasis to drop out of school as soon as they are "dedicated" leaving them with no education or skill to earn a livelihood. We have identified at least 8 districts where this practice is rampant.”

Hope through rescue and rehabilitation

CIF presently works across several remote villages in order to identify Devdasi families. This is done through Kishori groups, which are developed by the NGO to intervene before a girl is dedicated to the Devdasi practice. CIF also works extensively to rescue girls who have already been made Devdasis and provides education, skill training and jobs. 

“To date, we have placed over 700 girls in jobs and have brought over 1,500 girls back to school. We provide these girls with whatever they need to get a fresh start in life. May it be admission to school, coaching or counselling”, the NGO founder says.

The scale of this exploitative practice is huge and so are the resources required to tackle this issue. We need to come together and stand by the victims who are suffering each day for no fault of theirs. Your donations can translate into freedom and liberty for hundreds of minor girls. Contribute now.

Donate to this fundraiser on Give.do, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help minor victims forced to do sex work get back to school and reshape their lives.