UN Advocacy Update: June–November 2025

Over the past months, IDSN has been actively engaging across the UN Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and with several Special Rapporteurs to ensure that addressing caste discrimination remain firmly on the international human rights agenda. Below is an overview of key interventions, submissions and advocacy efforts undertaken between June and November 2025. Human Rights […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Bangladesh, Business, Caste-based slavery, Climate, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Education, India, Living conditions, Manual Scavenging, Nepal, Pakistan, Political Participation, Poverty, South Asia, United Nations, Violence and atrocities, Water and Sanitation|Tags: |

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Women Leading Change in Global Supply Chains: Key insights from webinar co-organised by IDSN

On 30 October 2025, IDSN, Ethical Trade Denmark, Ethical Trade Norway and the Ethical Trading Initiative UK organised a members-only webinar on ’Women Leading Change in Global Supply Chains – Ways Forward for HRDD in 2025’. The discussion brought together practitioners, rights advocates, worker leaders and brand representatives to explore how intersecting discrimination—including caste and gender—continues to shape […]

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Strengthening UN response to addressing caste discrimination: IDSN contributes to global community of practice

In October, IDSN contributed to a global Community of Practice session hosted by the UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, bringing together UN staff from around the world working in contexts where caste and analogous forms of descent-based discrimination remain urgent but often overlooked. The session, dedicated to strengthening UN-wide understanding and responses […]

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IDSN delegation visits Brussels to advocate for EU action on caste discrimination

IDSN coordinated a weeklong advocacy visit to Brussels in June, bringing together six representatives from marginalized caste groups across South Asia. Delegates included: Dharsika Sivapragasam (Human Development Organization – Sri Lanka), Swapon Das (DALIT Khulna – Bangladesh), Sushil BK (Dalit NGO Federation and DHR Nepal), Mary James Gill (Centre for Law and Justice – Pakistan), as well as representatives from the National Dalit Christian Watch (India) and […]

|Categories: Bangladesh, European Union, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, Sri Lanka|Tags: |

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UN report on intersectionality calls for action on caste and gender justice

A groundbreaking new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Ashwini KP, has issued a powerful call to action, identifying caste and gender among the core drivers of intersectional oppression, particularly in South Asia. The report, presented to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur in an Interactive Dialogue on 3 July, emphasizes that […]

|Categories: Dalit Women, United Nations|Tags: |

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Annual Report 2024-25

We are pleased to share the IDSN Annual Report for 2024–25, which outlines key activities and developments across our core thematic areas: Dalit women and gender justice, business and human rights, and equality and participation. The highlights of the report include: OECD side-event co-organised by Arisa and IDSN addressed caste in garment and footwear supply […]

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Addressing Caste Discrimination in India’s Supply Chains: Insights from Ethical Trade Norway’s Seminar

In January 2025, Ethical Trade Norway convened a seminar titled “Responsible Trade with India – What Must You Know?” to explore the complexities of engaging with India’s vast and diverse market. The event underscored the critical importance of understanding caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits and Adivasis, within global supply chains. The Dalit Solidarity Network Norway also played […]

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OECD side-event addresses caste related labour exploitation in global garment and leather supply chains

On 14 February 2025, IDSN, Arisa and Homeworkers Worldwide hosted a side-session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector. The discussion addressed the exploitation of Dalit workers in South Asia’s garment and leather industries that form part of global supply chains. The panel featured voices from the frontlines of labour rights, […]

|Categories: Business, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, India, Pakistan, South Asia, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Dalit leader urges action to address the situation of Dalit women at UN CEDAW Review of Nepal

On 3 February 2025, Durga Sob, founder of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) and a leading advocate for Dalit women’s rights, delivered a statement in connection with the 90th Session of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee’s review of Nepal. Representing both FEDO and IDSN, Ms. Sob highlighted the entrenched discrimination […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, Nepal, Political Participation, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Join us for a critical discussion on root causes of caste-based slavery and exploitation in South Asia and how to start tackling them!

📢 Side Event at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector 🗓 Date & Time: 14 February 2025, 12:30–14:00 CET 📍 Online (Zoom) – Register now: https://lnkd.in/d6m272PU Why Attend? ✅ If you source textiles or leather from South Asia this session is essential to end forced, bonded and child labour and exploitation in your supply chains ✅ You will hear from speakers from the affected communities […]

|Categories: Business, India, Pakistan, South Asia, Uncategorized|Tags: |

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