Turn on the tap, bring in good health | WaterAid India

Case story on access to water in Bihar's Gaya district.

Report: Health, Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers (Wateraid)

This report presents the findings of a study that examined nine case studies of sanitation workers in low- and middle-income countries, predominantly focusing on emptying pits and tanks, providing transportation of fecal sludge, and performing sewer maintenance. It is an initial analysis into a growing body of work on sanitation workers, but already the findings highlight several action areas to ensure that efforts in reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6.2 and 6.3 do not com- promise the dignity, health, and rights of the work- force. Collecting data from literature and key informant interviews, the nine cases provide an overview of the key challenges sanitation workers face. The report also addresses good practices and suggests areas for action.

Japan – A History of Denial ~ Minority Stories

As part of the Minority Stories initiative, Minority Rights Group have published an eight chapter story on Japan’s minorities with a strong focus on caste discrimination and the Buraku in Japan. The story has been created in collaboration with the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), and we strongly recommend diving into this great new resource

No end in sight to plight of Dalit flood victims (case, Nepal, 2017)

Children in Dalit settlements of Bishnupur Rural Municipality in Saptari are in dire need of relief materials, as they have lost their houses along with clothes and food grains in the recent floods in the district. The hapless children, along with their parents, have been taking shelter in makeshift tents on the roadside. They are just surviving on food items such as noodles, biscuits, and beaten rice provided by different organisations.

My ambition is to be a political leader (FEDO, case, 2017, Nepal)

Pabitra Bishwokarma is the President of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) in the Makhanpur District of Nepal. “I was forced to get married when I was only 14. My husband was 11 years older than me and we had never met.  I wanted to continue at school, but my parents insisted that I marry.  So I tried to poison myself.  But I still had to get married. “I heard FEDO interviewed on the radio and was interested in what they said about Dalit women’s rights.  After I became District President I realised that I needed to be more educated so that I could motivate and help other women. “My ambition is to be a political leader and a role model for the Dalit community.  In the past Dalit women have been used by political parties, but, thanks to FEDO, we now have bargaining power.

At first I didn’t feel able to, but now I can, and I put my views forward. (FEDO, case, Nepal, 2017)

Women from the Dalit caste in Nepal face huge discrimination on every level and are treated as outcasts in society. They are made even more vulnerable by their lack of access to money, housing and land.  We met Sharada, a woman from the poorest Dalit community. She gets support from our partner Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) to understand and fight for Dalit women’s rights. 

‘We are now respected, we can access funds, we speak out to say what we want’ (FEDO, case, Nepal, 2017)

Deemed ‘untouchable’ by her community, Kamala faced discrimination for being a Dalit woman. People were afraid of her and she felt ashamed. With support from the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), Kamala joined the Shiba Madesi Dalit Women’s Group where she gained the skills and confidence to claim her rights and take control of her life

‘We stand in solidarity against discrimination and have a unique bond.’ (Dalit women, case, Nepal, 2017)

Married at just nine years old, Anita’s story is far from uncommon among Dalit women. Facing discrimination for her lower caste status, Anita was led to believe she was ‘untouchable’ by her community. Through joining a women-led group organised by the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), Anita built strength, grew in confidence and made friendships. Now, as the President of the group, she stands up for the rights of Dalit women and girls.

‘I am a strong woman now and I am changing my community for the better’ (Dalit women, case, Nepal, 2017)

Mayawati was illiterate for much of her life. As a Dalit woman, she faced discrimination and was ashamed of who she was. With support from IDSN member Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), Mayawati joined a women-led group and completed training courses. This helped her to realise how important her voice is.

We can speak up and claim our rights (Dalit women, case, Nepal, 2017)

Santu was grieving the loss of her husband and looking after her five small children when the earthquake hit Nepal in 2015. On top of the hardships she already faced, Santu lost her house to the earthquake and was left with nothing.

Nepal – Houses for Dalits limited to paper

The government’s decision to build houses for Dalit families of Arnaha Rural Municipality, Saptari,  under the People’s Residence Programme has fallen flat. Dalit families of the locality are disappointed as construction work has yet to begin though the current fiscal year is coming to an end. Local Lalaku Sada said, “The government’s false promise has disheartened our impoverished Dalit community.” The government’s apathy in constructing the residences has let down Dalit families of around 50 Village Development Committees across the district.

Dalits of Bajura village cannot vote freely

Nande Luwar, 70, of Jukot in Swamikartik Rural Municipality, Bajura has voted many times in his life. But, due to some reasons Nande could not cast his vote freely. “I will vote where the upper caste people ask me to vote,” he added.This is a common trend among Dalit families of Jukot, Bajura.

Nepal – Dalit fined for touching barn

A local fined Prem Bahadur BK of Chhededaha Rural Municipality with Rs 2,000 for touching the former’s cowshed in Bajura. Rajendra Bahadur Singh of Chhededaha, Biradi fined BK the amount just for touching his cowshed during the door-to-door election publicity campaign on Friday.

Dalit thrashed for entering temple in Bode Barsain Municipality

A person from the Dalit community was thrashed mercilessly in Bode Barsain Municipality,  Saptari,  yesterday for entering a temple to perform puja. Liladhar Das (Tatma) of Bode Barasain Municipality was beaten black and blue by the local non-Dalits. According to eye-witness Laxmi Ram, locals Raj Kumar Yadav, Kasindra Yadav, Ramchandra Yadav and Sakaldev Yadav, among others, had attacked Das when he reached the local temple to perform Asare Puja.

Nepal – Dalit children crush stones to buy books

Seven-year-old Laxmi Nepali of Bhagwati Aulagurta VDC of Jajarkot district wakes up early in the morning and rushes toward a nearby school. While most of the children of her age carry books and other educational materials, she is seen holding a sack on one hand and a hammer on the other en route to Nepal National Secondary School. For the sake of Rs 100, she crushes stones into gravels in front of the school from early morning. Though it is not her wish, she is obliged to do so to sustain her life. She completes crushing a sack full of gravels from 7 am to 9 am in the morning. “I give this money to my parents and they will buy me books and new clothes,” Laxmi said.

Dalit girls learn about their rights in the villages of Rautahat (DSNF)

Minna Havunen, of the Dalit Solidarity Network-Finland, traveled to Nepal and met Dalits in the villages of Rautahat. She heard first-hand stories of discrimination and segregation and met Dalit teenage girls at a NNDSWO centre, who were learning about their rights. Read her blog post about the visit here. Photo from DSN-Fi blog post.

Why India’s “Untouchable” Women Are The Targets Of Rape & How They Are Fighting Back (Oye Times)

For Dalit victims of sexual violence, Marshaal said, response from police officers is often "How can you have been raped? You’re a Dalit — touching you would make anyone spiritually impure." And Mashaal was far from alone. A study by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights found that more than half of Dalit women had suffered physical assault. More than 46% have suffered sexual harassment. Twenty-three percent have said they had been raped.

A new business class: Dalits who turned first-generation entrepreneurs (Indian Express)

Are we still in dark age? Children of cobblers treated like dirt (The Daily Star – Bangladesh)

Dalits are “skilled, honest and industrious” – International Dalit Solidarity Network