Sitavaa Jodatti Biography 
Sitavaa Jodatti is a social activist, best known for her efforts to empower her community of Devadasis of Karnataka. A child victim of the old traditional Devadasi system, where girls of their community are merely used for sexual exploitation, Sitavaa Jodatti fought against all odds and she founded MASS in 1997 to empower Devadasis and provide them with support. The organization takes various projects to help former devadasis, Dalit women, and their families. She gives special emphasis to educate the children of this group, as she believes in the strength of education which can bring down the exploitation. For her social work and efforts towards women empowerment, Government of India honoured him with the fourth highest civilian honour - Padma Shri in 2017.
She was born into a poor family which traditionally followed Devadasi system. Since young she has seen ladies well-dressed going out for ‘work’, and she grew up to believe that it was all normal. She studied till 7th grade and her hours at school were the happiest moments of her life. Sitavva managed to study up to Class 7 before she was sold to a man twice her age. She was pushed to the tradition following the religious rituals, and though she was willing to work in fields to help her family. Her father’s illness and the starvation of her family prompted her to take the job at the age when she couldn’t even figure out what’s happening. It took a long time for her to realize that whatever has happened was not good, and girls are meant for other things too.
She bore two children from the first relation. Though the man wanted to marry her his family was against it. Later Sitavva was sent to a wealthier man in Jodatti village, who was already married with no children. He had a daughter with Sitavva, but he remarried later. Yet he continued to look after her children and often visits her. He continues to be her joolwa husband.
When Karnataka Government banned the devadasi system by implementing the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act in 1987, she came forward with determination to create awareness among female members the need to eradicate this old system. Her efforts to eradicate the Devadasi system in Belgaum and change the lives of over 4,000 women are worth praiseworthy.
Published: February 19, 2019
Updated: February 19, 2019
