On a bus winding through the town of Vagamon, 15 hijab-clad women sang, clapped, and swayed to the rhythm of a song. Disembarking, they began a trek through tea plantations, reaching a hilltop where they paused, facing the valley. Hand in hand, they sang songs of freedom.
This is India's first "divorce camp," founded by 31-year-old Rafia Afi. It caters to women who are divorced, separated, widowed, or navigating challenging relationships.
Divorce remains a sensitive and often taboo subject in many Indian families. While the official divorce rate is around 1%, according to a survey by The Legal Crusader, many cases go unregistered or are ignored. In major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, the divorce rate increased by over 30% last year.
After her own divorce last year, Afi began sharing her healing journey and experiences as a single mother on social media, attracting many women in similar situations. She realized that many, like her, lacked family and social support and faced societal judgment.
This experience inspired Break Free Stories, her post-divorce "healing camps" for women. These nature-themed retreats, held over two days on weekends each month, accommodate 15 to 20 women for a fee starting at 15 USD.
Core camp activities include hiking, dancing, and singing. As women become more comfortable, they engage in conversations, healing in a safe, non-judgmental space, and discussing financial independence.
The National Family Health Survey reveals that 32% of married women aged 18 to 49 report experiencing domestic violence. Women often face pressure to remain in abusive marriages.
Afi notes that suicides and murders related to domestic violence are on the rise. She wants to encourage women that leaving a bad marriage is a courageous act.
"Indian women are bound by the stigma that divorce is shameful," she said. "Many even choose death over ending their marriage."
Many of the 150 women who have attended the camps say the experience has been life-changing. 37-year-old Surya Kalarikkal described her marriage as full of suffering. Divorce, she explained, was so difficult that she forgot how to genuinely smile.
At the divorce camp, for the first time in 15 years, she cried, laughed, and released all her emotions.
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A group of women participate in a "divorce camp" in Vagamon, Kerala, in 8/2025. Photo: Guardian |
A group of women participate in a "divorce camp" in Vagamon, Kerala, in 8/2025. Photo: Guardian
45-year-old Shifna shared that hearing others' stories helped her feel less alone and motivated her to move forward. In the evenings, they built bonfires and talked through the night. Shifna’s story inspired other women to find the courage to leave toxic relationships.
The divorce camps have become so popular that Afi plans to expand to Bengaluru and Mumbai. Every weekend, as the women hug, express gratitude, and exchange contact information, she feels a sense of fulfillment.
"I see them embarking on new beginnings after the breakdown of their marriages," she said.
Ngoc Ngan (Guardian)
