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===India=== {{main|Devadasi}} People in some Indian states practice [[hierodulic]] prostitution, with similar customary forms such as basavi,<ref>{{cite web|title=What is child hierodulic servitude?|url=http://anti-slaverysociety.addr.com/hieroras.htm|website=[[Anti-Slavery International|Anti-Slavery Society]]|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160102084104/http://anti-slaverysociety.addr.com/hieroras.htm |archive-date=2 January 2016}}</ref> and involves dedicating pre-pubescent and young adolescent girls from villages in a ritual marriage to a Hindu deity or a Hindu temple, who then work in the temple and function as spiritual guides, dancers, and prostitutes servicing male devotees in the temple. The [[Devadasi]]s were originally seen as intercessors who allowed upper-caste men to have contact with the gods. Though they did develop sexual relations with other men, they were not looked upon with lust. Before [[Muslim rule of India|Muslim rule]] in the 14th century, they could live an existence apart from the men, with inheritance rights, wealth and influence, as well as living outside of the dangers of marriage.<ref>{{cite book|author=Melissa Hope Ditmore|title=Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work, Volumen 1|date=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-03-133296-8-5}}</ref> The system was criticised by [[British Raj|British colonial government]] while defended by Brahmins, leading to a decline in support for the system and the devadasis soon turned to [[Prostitution in India|prostitution]].{{sfn|Dunbar|2015}} Many scholars have stated that the Hindu scriptures do not mention the system.{{sfn|Ruspini|Bonifacio|2018}} [[Human Rights Watch]] also reports claims that devadasis are forced into this service and, at least in some cases, to practise prostitution for upper-caste members.<ref>Human Rights Watch. [http://hrw.org/campaigns/caste/presskit.htm Caste: Asia's Hidden Apartheid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030423143405/http://hrw.org/campaigns/caste/presskit.htm |date=23 April 2003 }}</ref> Various state governments in [[India]] enacted laws to ban this practice both prior to India's independence and more recently. They include Bombay Devdasi Act, 1934, Devdasi (Prevention of dedication) Madras Act, 1947, Karnataka Devdasi (Prohibition of dedication) Act, 1982, and Andhra Pradesh Devdasi (Prohibition of dedication) Act, 1988.<ref>United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. [https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw37/responses/cedaw.c.ind.q.3.add.1%20single.pdf Thirty-seventh session: 15 January β 2 February 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724025833/http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw37/responses/cedaw.c.ind.q.3.add.1%20single.pdf |date=24 July 2017 }}</ref> However, the tradition continues in certain regions of India, particularly the states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name=thehindu>{{cite news|title = 'Project Combat' launched to eradicate 'Devadasi' system|date = 30 January 2006|url = http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/30/stories/2006013020130300.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060525083259/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/30/stories/2006013020130300.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 25 May 2006|work = [[The Hindu]]|access-date = 31 January 2007}}</ref>
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