Expanding opportunities for Dalit girls in India

10/10/2018

Since 2012, the 11th October has been marked by the UN as the International Day of the Girl. It aims to highlight and address the challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

This year’s theme is entitled ‘With Her: A Skilled GirlForce’ as in the next decade, 90% of girls entering the workforce in developing countries will work in the informal sector, where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common. The theme this year seeks to promote the expansion of learning opportunities for girls and calls on the global community to rethink how to prepare girls for a successful transition into the world of work.

The current situation for Dalit women and girls living in Bihar State is desperate. Surviving as part of the lowest strata of a brutal caste system, with the added oppression that arises from being female, traps many women in poverty and abuse.

UN Women state that despite government efforts for reform, across the country they continue to face severe maltreatment, including acid attacks, child marriage, dowry-related violence, honour killings, rape, sexual harassment and trafficking.

Compounding this situation are pervading levels of caste discrimination which despite being outlawed, determine much of the structure of daily society. Dalits are considered the ‘lowest’ of the caste strata and face severe restrictions, exploitation and violence.

The work we support here focuses on supporting women and girls to realise their rights to education, health, income, protection and shelter. We encourage them to develop their confidence and self-esteem and to restore a sense of their inherent self-worth.

We provide access to education for 1,200 Dalit children within 30 colourful and safe environments. Located on rooftops and canal-sides, under trees and inside homes, the Centres are accessible to all. Children learn maths, reading, writing and vital life skills and gain understanding of their inherent worth. They develop knowledge of their rights and will ultimately be resourced to access mainstream education opportunities.

Girls and boys attend focused gender equality workshops, so they can address deep-set prejudice together, along with tackling its consequences in their communities. One 12 year old girl called Aakriti attended the Centres but teachers noticed she was shy and regularly absent. Programme leader Veena says “She looked frightened and anxious. At the same time very little interest in playing and mingling with others”.

Aakriti went to one of the workshops at the Centres about ‘good and bad touch’. During the session many children spoke about sexual abuse they experienced from vendors, men on the bus, and their relatives. After this session Aakriti confided to her sister, telling her that she had recently been attacked and raped by a group of boys. Her sister came straight to the teachers and told them. They called Aakriti to talk about it and she is now having trauma counselling.

Women’s Groups attached to each Centre receive training about their rights along with the practical skills, support and mentorship they need to realise them. They push for protection, counter corruption and hold violent individuals to account in the courts. Sadly when Aakriti’s parents were approached about taking action they refused saying. “If people come to know that she is a rape victim no one will marry her. She will be burden to the family.”

This programme continues to work with families to address this kind of ingrained inequality. Veena says “It is very difficult to break the social stigma attached to rape and sexual abuse of women. Will she ever get justice?”

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