Live chat with journalist Sarah Harris about her article "Prostitutes of god"

Check out this amazing article by Sarah Harris called "Prostitutes of god." It's about an ancient Indian sex custom of offering up young girls to a Hindu goddess names Devadasi. Originally, it was considered a sacred practice, and the prostitutes were highly esteemed, but, "the tradition has deteriorated over the centuries," Harris writes. Today, these young women are ridiculed, and rejected by the rest of society, and because of the stigma many of them can't get married and live a normal life. Harris:

"It’s very difficult for girls to leave the profession. You see groups of former Devadasi becoming social activists and campaigners against the tradition. That’s one way out. Another is to become an educator or a social worker. There is a huge movement to try and stop dedications happening, and the impetus for that is coming from the grass roots. The former Devadasi women."

You should read the whole article.

Harris also made a four-part documentary about the story for Vice magazine. Watch the first part here. It's not that long, plus its fascinating.

Also, VBS is hosting a live chat tomorrow at 12 pm with Harris about the story. Click here for more details.