A new UK wide initiative focused upon women’s protection and empowerment will be launched on Saturday 19th October, within ISKCON UK’s 50th anniversary year.
The Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative, or DEVI, was set up to empower, connect, protect and inspire women and girls throughout ISKCON, by giving vulnerable Vaishnavis a confidential service to turn to, as well as coaching and networking for women devotees to help them achieve their full potential.
Each UK Temple will have a trained DEVI ambassador who will act as the first port of call for any girl or woman who requires urgent support and help. Through the confidential service, she will then be directed to the support services that can best help.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a trainer discussing domestic abuse and women’s empowerment as part of an interactive training session.
This launch event is aimed those keen to represent their Temple in this capacity, to find out more about the DEVI initiative and how to inspire changes at a local level.
The initiative was developed by HG Madhavi Devi Dasi, who currently serves as Legal Counsel on the ISKCON UK Management Council, after she personally helped a number of women that were experiencing serious cases of abuse.
Madhavi Prabhu said: “DEVI is both a confidential and safe space for female devotees who may need help, but also a hub for women who want to take the next step forward in their service and progress to local – or even national – management level. Women are chronically under-represented at managerial level and now in our 50th year, it is time to make a change.”
The DEVI launch will take place at Aldenham Village Hall on Saturday 19th October from 2pm – 6pm.
Book your space here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-of-the-devi-initiative-tickets-71361461051?ref=estw
Mina Sharma