Mahila Abhivrudhi Mattu Samrakshana Samsthe – MASS
Organisational History: Mahila Abhivruddi Mattu Samrakshana Samsthe (MASS) is based in the Belgaum district of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. MASS mainly works with dalit women ith a focus on ex-Devadasi women and their children
It is a membership association of ex-devadasi women and was registered as a society in September 1997 under the Karnataka Societies Act of 1960. MASS evolved as part of the withdrawal strategy of the Devadasi rehabilitation projects of Karnataka State Women Development Corporation (KSWDC)
MYRADA with funding support from Oxfam NOVIB. ‘Devadasi’ is an old tradition1 in some parts of India, wherein a young dalit girl is dedicated to a local deity/goddess and is expected to lead a life in service of the goddess. However, over the centuries these women have been prone to exploitation and discrimination by the society and in some cases, forced into prostitution.
Historical perspective of the Devdasi tradition
Devdasi, meaning servant of god, is a system where young girls (mainly of dalit community) are dedicated to a local deity – Goddess Yellamma (Renuka). This system is mainly prevalent in parts of South Maharashtra and North Karnataka. The girls are dedicated to Goddess Yellamma before they attain puberty. 99% of them belong to poor Dalit Communities. Once a girl is dedicated, she is not expected to marry and participate in certain socio-religious rituals of the local community is believed to be binding upon her.
The significant factors leading to dedications are traditional beliefs and values and to a much lesser extent economic factors. Many of the ex-Devdasis, who are first generation Devdasis, believed that they were dedicated for a number of reasons. These include:
CHANGE A LIFE TODAY
As long as poverty, injustice & inequality persist, none of us can truly rest. It doesn’t take much to change a life, Get in touch today and start making the difference.