For generations, women have fought for equality and against oppression, and while some fights have been partially won – such as the right to vote and equal access to education – women continue to be disproportionately affected by all sorts of violence and discrimination in all aspects of life.
We often forget that these injustices still exist in India’s far reaches.
On December 30th, the Bellary team of the Children GOOD project, which works on tackling child exploitation in the Devadasi community through child participation for advocacy, education and skill development, working with law enforcement agencies and by sensitising communities, organised a campaign for oppressed women’s organisations. During the campaign, they primarily advocated for a government policy that would allow Devadasi women and children to receive the education they deserve and require, allowing them to re-energize the proposals provided to the Karnataka Government’s Backward Class Commission.
The Backward Class Commission published a report in 2010 that failed to recognise the value of education and equal chances for Devadasi women and children from that background. The Bellari and Koppal teams had an internal discussion and proposed reserving seats in schools and securing jobs for children from devadasi families, and these suggestions were sent to the backward class commission.
A total of 143 women took part in the event, which served to clarify and educate the underprivileged. Additionally, the concerned officials were given the authority to move forward with the recommendation. It is a step in the right direction. 121 women representatives were able to participate in the programme.
Written by Tuhina Upadhyay
Communications Associate
