This 'Divorcee Camp' In Kerala Offers Space, Not Stigma

In May 2025, a group of seventeen women from across Kerala, divorced, separated, or widowed, boarded a bus to Vagamon for a two-day retreat. The event, organised by Kozhikode-based creator Rafia Afi through her initiative Break Free Stories, marked Kerala's first informal "divorcee camp" and drew nationwide attention for its unusual approach: no stigma, no therapy sessions, no legal lectures. Just community.

The participants, aged between 23 and 45, came from various districts including Malappuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. Most had never met before. What brought them together was a shared need for rest, connection, and to be understood without judgment.

"There was no agenda. We talked, played games, ate meals together, and shared stories. For most of us, this was the first time we could speak about our lives without fear or shame," one participant told The Nod, The Thrissur resident shared that she was married at 17 and divorced six years later.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafia (@cook_eat_burn)

Divorced, Not Defeated: What Happened at Kerala’s First Divorce Camp

The retreat included storytelling circles, music sessions, silent walks, and group games. While the format was casual, the intention was clear: to create a space where women could step out of the social isolation that often follows separation or divorce in conservative environments.

Rafia, 26, who also went through a divorce, said the idea came from her own experience of loneliness and social pressure. "There were so many questions. Not just from society, but from myself. It took me years to realise I wasn't the only one feeling this way. That's when I thought, why not bring women together, away from noise and pressure, and just let them be?"

The initiative sparked a wide conversation online. While many applauded it as a bold and much-needed step, others questioned the format and purpose. But for those who attended, the impact was direct and personal.

One woman from Kannur shared, "I've been in court for three years now. This camp didn't give me legal advice, but it gave me clarity, and more importantly, peace."

Following the success of the Vagamon camp, a second retreat was held in June in Alappuzha. This time, a lawyer named Zaki J, who lost his mother to domestic violence, volunteered to offer basic legal awareness sessions. Future camps are being planned for Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and even the UAE, with additional sessions on financial literacy and self-defence.

What makes the Break Free Stories model different is its refusal to package healing. There are no modules, no certificates. Just room. For many participants, that was enough. Rafia says she hopes to organise mixed-gender camps eventually, and perhaps even a network of support beyond the retreats. "Divorce is not a full stop," she says. "Sometimes, it's just where the real story begins."