Shocking images depict Hindu goddesses as victims of abuse in domestic violence campaign

A hard-hitting campaign depicting Hindu goddesses as victims of domestic violence has been launched by a charity in India.

The posters feature the goddesses Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi, who can be seen with physical injuries on their faces.

The Save Our Sisters campaign turns the traditional imagery of the goddesses on their head, and is all the more shocking because they are such iconic images in India and Hinduism in general.

The goddesses are viewed as all-powerful and often worshipped; people pray to Lakshmi for wealth, Durga is the deity of strength and power, while Saraswati is linked to knowledge and wisdom.

The campaign is run by Save the Children India (which is not linked to Save the Children in the UK), and is calling on people to recognise the signs of domestic violence.

Around the edge of the images there are small images showing how the posters were put together. They show the models dressed up as the deities and standing against a traditional background.

The text on the posters say: 'Pray that we never see this day. Today more than 68 per cent of women in India are victims of domestic violence. Tomorrow, it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to.'

Following the horrific gang-rape and death of a physiotherapy student on a bus in Dehli last year, the spotlight has be turned on women's rights in India. The case caused international outcry and condemnation and is bringing these issues to light.

While domestic violence in a problem in India, the campaign also hopes to tackle it is also as a global issue.