149 entries found
Take-aways on caste and gender intersectionality from the report “Tripartite Marginalisation” in South Asia: In countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Dalits face overlapping discrimination due to factors such as caste, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, disability and religion. This multi-layered disadvantage severely restricts their access to basic rights. Hazardous Labour: Dalit women are disproportionately forced into dangerous and informal jobs, most notably manual scavenging. The vast majority of those engaged in this degrading work are Dalit women, who are then denied access to basic necessities like clean water, healthcare, and other goods and services. Violence with Impunity: Caste and gender-based violence are rampant, serving to reinforce oppressive social hierarchies. This violence often goes unpunished due to systemic discrimination within justice systems. Examples include trafficking and forced prostitution, sexual violence against Dalit women as a tool of caste oppression, and forced religious conversions or marriages. In Nepal, a significant number of human trafficking survivors are Dalit women, with Badi Dalit women being especially vulnerable due to historical prejudices. LGBTQ+ Dalit individuals also face high risks of physical and sexual violence, and Dalit children endure severe social exclusion and corporal punishment in schools. Dalit Women and mainstream feminist movements: Dalit feminist scholars have tirelessly brought to light the specific social, sexual and cultural contexts that shape Dalit women’s lives. They show how Dalit women’s bodies, identities and work have been historically controlled and exploited. The report notes that Dalit women are often marginalised even within feminist academic circles, underscoring that any feminist movement that ignores caste is fundamentally flawed and complicit in perpetuating caste hierarchies. The Special Rapporteur outlines essential elements to tackle discrimination: Understand the roots: It’s vital to conduct systemic, racial and historical analyses of oppression, including caste. The report warns against a superficial use of “intersectionality” without truly dissecting the power systems and privilege that fuel inequality. Without this, the concept risks losing its power to dismantle systemic discrimination. Listen to affected communities: The diverse experiences of those facing caste discrimination must be central to all efforts. Full and effective participation of caste-oppressed communities in all policy and decision-making spaces is non-negotiable. The report highlights a worrying trend: Dalit communities experience low representation in policymaking in India. Collect disaggregated data: Gathering data that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and caste, among other identities, is described as a critical tool. This “intersectional data” is powerful because it makes invisible communities and their struggles visible, challenges stereotypes and exposes systemic disparities. Demand justice and reparation: Laws must be expanded to include all forms of intersectional discrimination. Beyond this, the report champions comprehensive and structural reparatory justice approaches. These are crucial for acknowledging and fully addressing the harms of historical atrocities, especially those related to caste oppression. True justice, the report asserts, must be grounded in the lived experiences of those who have suffered systemic racism and intersectional discrimination.
2025 Intersectionality report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism makes it clear: caste and gender oppression and discrimination are not isolated issues but deeply interconnected forms of systemic violence. It highlights how understanding the concept of intersectionality is vital for unmasking the complex layers of discrimination and exclusion. The report also details how one-size-fits-all solutions simply don’t work, because the experiences of caste-oppressed communities are highly complex and varied. An intersectional lens helps to challenge harmful stereotypes and portrayals of these communities as homogenous. The report also highlights the need to challenge hate-speech online as well as offline.
This IDSN submission emphasizes that despite progress in some South Asian countries, Dalit women remain grossly underrepresented in public and private decision-making, constrained by persistent caste- and gender-based barriers. The submission calls for targeted reforms—such as explicit anti-discrimination laws, legal aid, land redistribution, labour protections, and scholarships—to dismantle intersecting inequalities and promote Dalit women’s socio-economic empowerment . Furthermore, IDSN urges intersectional integration within gender policies, including data disaggregation, inclusive consultations, vocational training, and protections in climate, conflict, and digital spheres to uphold development rights for Dalit women and girls
IDSN's submission draws attention to how climate change in South Asia disproportionately harms Dalit communities and how Dalit human rights defenders (HRDs) are central to advancing inclusive climate action and a just transition. Despite leading initiatives in sustainable agriculture, disaster response, and resource rights, Dalit HRDs—especially women—face systemic violence, exclusion, legal harassment, and invisibility in data and relief efforts. IDSN urges governments, international bodies, and donors to integrate caste-awareness into climate policies, ensure equitable access to resources, disaggregate data, and strengthen protections for Dalit HRDs. The submission emphasizes that genuine climate justice and a just transition are impossible without centering Dalit voices and leadership.
This IDSN submission outlines the urgent need to address persistent caste-based discrimination and exclusion of Dalit communities in South Asia. It calls for the full implementation of the UN Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination Based on Work and Descent and advocates for a legally binding UN convention on caste-based discrimination. IDSN recommends strengthening access to justice, ensuring Dalit representation in legal and political institutions, protecting human rights defenders, and promoting equality in education, employment, and public services. The submission stresses that systematic reforms and international oversight are essential to effectively combat caste-based discrimination and uphold minority rights.
This IDSN submission highlights the pervasive issue of child labour among Dalit children in South Asia, particularly in India, where caste-based discrimination and systemic poverty exacerbate their vulnerability. Children as young as five are subjected to bonded labour in brick kilns, hazardous work in agriculture, forced labour in the textile industry, and domestic servitude, often under exploitative schemes like the “Sumangali” system. The IDSN underscores that these children, especially girls, face compounded risks of trafficking, sexual violence, and early marriage, which further entrench their marginalisation. To address these issues, the IDSN calls for the strict enforcement of existing laws, the elimination of caste-based discrimination in education and public services, and the implementation of comprehensive social protection measures to support vulnerable families and prevent child labour.
IDSN input on intersectionality from a racial justice perspective to Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism This report has had input from Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network (PDSN), All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM)- National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM), Better World Shelter and Feminist Dalit Organisation. It is impossible to address intersectionality without a focus on gender and gender justice from a racial justice perspective. Therefore, this submission takes the intersectionality of caste and gender as its central premise.
IDSN input for the report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues on the contribution of the UN to the full realization of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities
Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) Submission to Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls to the UN General Assembly on violence against women andgirls in sport - includes information on Dalit women and girls in Nepal and India
IDSN highlighted the need to keep caste discrimination on the international agenda through recommendations, meeting with Permanent Missions and statements at Interactive Dialogues made by IDSN affiliates. Swapon Kumar Das, the Executive Director of DALIT in Khulna, Bangladesh read out a statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur (SR) on climate change. Jarna Das working for Parittran in Khulna, Bangladesh, also an affiliate of IDSN’s, read a statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur on trafficking, and Kalpana Biswakarma, part of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights in New Delhi, India, a member of IDSN, prepared a statement to be read at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur on Poverty.
The report is focused on contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities. In that context, the Special Rapporteur identifies the main causes of contemporary forms of slavery affecting these groups and the main manifestations, such as chattel slavery; forced and bonded labour; domestic servitude; sexual slavery; child and forced marriage; and child labour.
A unique event organised by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund brought together, activists, experts, trade unions and several international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, IDSN and OSF. In a session dedicated to addressing caste-based discrimination, the exploitation of Dalit women in work settings, was raised by speakers at the global Women at Work conference in Nepal, stressing the urgent need to address the situation.
At the 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, Mr Tomoya Obokata, the Special Rapporteur on Slavery, will present his report focusing on the Contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities. Child labour and caste-based discrimination are closely interlinked alongside severe discrimination against Dalit women.
IDSN welcomes the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Dr. Ashwini K.P., to the post. Dr. K.P. brings with her valuable knowledge and insight on discrimination based on work and descent and the United Nations.
GA report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief – UNGA77
In June, IDSN and a group of other civil society organisations met with Ahmed Shaheed, the current Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, in Brussels.
IDSN and the UN OHCHR Minority section brought together an experts’ round table discussion to mark the 30th Anniversary of the UN Minority mandate.
Survey by the SR on contemporary forms of slavery
IDSN submission to the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Slavery for his study about slavery in the informal sector, to be presented at the 77th session of the UNGA.
Following his visit to Sri Lanka last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Tomoya Obokata, raised concern over caste-based discrimination in Sri Lanka affecting the lives and opportunities for oppressed castes in the country.
