She was just nine when dedicated to Yellamma

Bangalore, Dec 2 (UNI) She was just nine, little did she know that her future will turn dark when her parents dedicated her to goddess Yellamma as a Devadasi in Bagalkot in Karnataka.

Eldest in the famiy of eight children, Kalavathy (name changed) was a graceful and articulate child, naughty and fun-loving like any other village lass. But her life changed after she was dedicated as a Devadasi. Trafficked into Maharashtra she was forced into sex work and was afflicted by the deadly HIV. Soon she realised that she cannot marry and has to lead a life different from others.

Hundreds of such women from poor families suffer today as Devadasis and later sex workers in Northern districts of Karnataka.

An Young female is dedicated to the goddess as Devadasi, who in turn exploited by the society.

After many twists and turns, ups and downs, the advent of HIV prevention programmes brought light into the lives of this village girl once again. And many of these Kalavathys have found a platform to change not only their own lives but the lives of hundreds of villagers. Thanks to India-Canada Collaborative HIV/AIDS Project (ICHAP) introduced in Bagalkot.

Till 2002 the HIV prevention projects were concentrated in urban areas and responding to the trends showing the shift of HIV prevalence from Urban to rural, National AIDS Control Organisation, the apex Government body in charge for the National Programme, selected Bagalkot as a Rural Demonstration Project and ICHAP began its work in four taluks of the backward district which was chalked out from a bigger Bijapur district in late nineties. Later on the project covered all the six taluks of the district.

MORE UNI MSP RS RKN1310