Kolkata art installation uses garments to combat sex trafficking survivor stigma

Sanlaap and Tribes have launched ‘Kolonkojoyini’ (She Who Conquers Stigma), an artistic installation for the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. The installation features a monumental depiction of Maa Durga constructed from hundreds of garments contributed by survivors of sex trafficking.

Each garment serves as a representation of an individual story, aiming to foster a collective expression of resilience, dignity, and hope. The project seeks to leverage the cultural themes of Durga Puja—specifically the homecoming of a daughter and the bonds of family—to encourage society to extend similar compassion and acceptance to survivors who often face discrimination in families, schools, and communities.

The installation includes a ‘Wall of Acceptance’ where visitors can post personal commitments to treating survivors with dignity, alongside an interactive digital pledge podium and resources to support Sanlaap’s ongoing initiatives.