With a social segregation system still in place, it is apparent where the wealth and privilege lies in the culture. Those born lower in the caste system usually find it much more difficult to have access to work and education and are often segregated from higher castes.<\/p>\n
Forced Prostitution for Women and Girls<\/h4>\n
In small villages, prostitution is a traditional trade for women\u2013girls are forced into the sex trade at a young age. This happens because of desperation and, in some cases, because of long-held beliefs such as the devadasi practice<\/a>. In fact, forced prostitution is so culturally ingrained in these areas that girls’ brothers often become their pimps. They can be sold for sex along highways or in brothels and bars in nearby cities.<\/p>\n Marriage can be rare and is even discouraged for these women because once they are married, they are no longer allowed to take clients. For many of these women, that can mean their sole source of income is removed, and without any education or trade, they can no longer provide for themselves or their families.<\/p>\n Women living in poorer areas of India also face financial obstacles in the form of costly dowries. Beyond the cost of the wedding itself, community elders allow marriage only if a large dowry is paid to the village. A dowry is the payment a bride\u2019s family makes to the groom\u2019s family or to the village in exchange for the marriage.<\/em> Though the dowry practice was officially banned in India in 1961, many traditional villages still engage in it.2<\/sup><\/p>\n These 21 women, however, were determined. According to The Exodus Road\u2019s operatives, the women wanted to marry their boyfriends and leave the sex trade that their families had forced them into. They were not only petitioning for the ability to marry; they were petitioning to escape a life of sex slavery. After looking into the complaints, the police and officials agreed to marry the women and their partners in one group ceremony.<\/p>\n Nearly 500 people attended the wedding. TER India operatives were honored to be a part of the celebration.<\/p>\n “It was a special experience for our investigators to attend the wedding. This kind of good work needs to be done on a regular basis.” \u2013Sudir*, TER India Country Director<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Exodus Road works to empower local communities<\/a> to understand and fight human trafficking. By employing national operatives and social workers and building long-term relationships with local officials, we aim to not only rescue those who are currently enslaved, but also create sustainable freedom.<\/p>\n On this day, as nearly two dozen brides looked toward a hopeful new future, we saw a glimpse of that sustainable freedom\u2014a celebration of victory.<\/p>\n *Sudir is a representative name. Photos are from the actual celebration.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1. \u201cWhat Is India’s Caste System?<\/a><\/span>\u201d\u00a0BBC News<\/i>, BBC, 20 July 2017.<\/p>\nDowries<\/h4>\n
A Petition for Marriage<\/h2>\n
a gift of Freedom, Love & Dignity<\/h2>\n
![\"wedding-couple-india\"](\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/3827123\/Exodus-October2017\/images\/blog-post\/Wedding-2.jpg\")
The women\u2019s villages joined together to make the wedding possible. Members of the community, local police, and government officials collected money for the event, which cost the equivalent of about $12,000. Police asked The Exodus Road to contribute to the fund.<\/p>\n![\"Nearly](\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/3827123\/Exodus-October2017\/images\/blog-post\/Wedding-3.jpg\")
Shop survivor-made products to support impoverished communities around the world such as <\/span>Starfish Project<\/a>, the <\/span>AIM Shop<\/a>, <\/span>Mercy House Global<\/a>, <\/span>Rapha International<\/a>, <\/span>Sari Bari<\/a>, and <\/span>Sudara<\/a>. By purchasing products from survivor artisans and at-risk communities, you’re supporting sustainable freedom.<\/span><\/p>\n
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