THE EDGE IN INDIA

Caste discrimination in India is trapping Dalit communities in a cycle of poverty and exclusion.

Illegal yet culturally ingrained caste discrimination against the ‘untouchable’ Dalit minority in India is causing children to be ostracised from education and denied their rights. 

The caste system assigns individuals a certain hierarchical status according to Hindu beliefs. Traditionally there are four principal castes (divided into thousands of sub-categories) and a fifth category of people who fall outside of the caste system; the Dalits. ​

The word Dalit translates as ‘oppressed’ or ‘broken’ and is generally used to refer to people who were once known as ‘untouchables’ because of the impurity and pollution connected with their traditional ‘outcaste’ occupations.

Dalits face discrimination at almost every level, from access to education and medical facilities to restrictions on where they can live and what jobs they can have. Deep-seated low self esteem and abuse has trapped Dalit communities in a cycle of poverty, abuse and exclusion.

MORE ABOUT THE EDGE FOR DALIT COMMUNITIES

Children waving from rooftop classroom in Patna

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP?

Through education and collective activism, Dalits are realising their rights and breaking the cycle of discrimination.

A major factor in breaking this cycle of discrimination is education. Working with two partners in Patna,  Bihar State; (Navjeevan Educational and Social Welfare Society and Parivartan Kendra) we are currently supporting 30 Community and Education Centres.

On rooftops (see photo above) and canal sides, in makeshift shelters and homes, all the Centres are child friendly environments that tackle barriers to education by providing opportunities to learn for over 900 children, enabling them to become proficient in maths, science and language. ​Our partners also work with local schools to encourage eventual integration into the mainstream system.

The curriculum includes a focus on rights (under Indian and international human rights law), caste discrimination and local  justice systems. Through ten 'Children's Parliaments', 165 children learn about their rights and responsibilities, and how to campaign about the issues that matter to them. ​ ​

​Centres also form a platform to bring change in the wider community. An important component of this work is our support of 50 women’s groups, formed through a democratic process, educated about rights, and supported to realise them. They bring change through the creation of dialogue and the use of nonviolent action.

The time is right for investing in work that informs Dalit communities about their rights, gives them the tools they need to practice self-determination and develops their ability to create better lives.

HOW CAN I HELP?


​​“At my old school, my teacher would ask me to read in front of the class. As I was not able to read properly, he beat me. I was punished every day so I stopped going to school. Later I started coming to the Learning Centre and have now been attending for the last one and half years. I like everything here. Literally everything!”

Nisha, age 12

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​After attending the Centres, Sahil entered mainstream school and then campaigned to have two water pumps installed in his local area.

He says “Since going to the Centre, people value me and I have respect. I want to be a doctor and change people’s lives, but I am starting with changing the village”.

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