Shocking images depict Hindu goddesses as victims of abuse in domestic violence campaign
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A hard-hitting campaign depicting Hindu goddesses as victims of domestic violence has been launched by a charity in India.
The posters feature the goddesses Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi, who can be seen with physical injuries on their faces.
The Save Our Sisters campaign turns the traditional imagery of the goddesses on their head, and is all the more shocking because they are such iconic images in India and Hinduism in general.
The goddesses are viewed as all-powerful and often worshipped; people pray to Lakshmi for wealth, Durga is the deity of strength and power, while Saraswati is linked to knowledge and wisdom.
The campaign is run by Save the Children India (which is not linked to Save the Children in the UK), and is calling on people to recognise the signs of domestic violence.
Around the edge of the images there are small images showing how the posters were put together. They show the models dressed up as the deities and standing against a traditional background.
The text on the posters say: 'Pray that we never see this day. Today more than 68 per cent of women in India are victims of domestic violence. Tomorrow, it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to.'
Following the horrific gang-rape and death of a physiotherapy student on a bus in Dehli last year, the spotlight has be turned on women's rights in India. The case caused international outcry and condemnation and is bringing these issues to light.
While domestic violence in a problem in India, the campaign also hopes to tackle it is also as a global issue.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments