Dalit women constitute a distinct social group, with 7.05 percent of total population. They should not be put under the general category of "Women" or "Dalit" because they suffer double discrimination: at the hands of the so-called high caste people (which affects both male and female Dalits), and Dalit males. Dalit women are at the bottom of the caste and gender hierarchy.
I have seen my mother and sisters go to fetch water from the public tap only when the upper-caste women were done. In some places, Dalit women are not allowed to get water from the public well or tap so they have to walk long distances for water. They are subjected to sexual violence and abuse while working in fields. Most such cases are unreported as the police refuse to file a case of discrimination because most police personnel belong to upper castes.
Upper-caste people have social, economic and political power to silence Dalit women's voice. The hardships of Dalit women are not simply due to their poverty, economic status or lack of education but a direct result of the exploitation and suppression of upper caste people and unwillingness of local authority to punish the culprit.
Not only that, I have seen many Dalit girls with keen interest in schooling drop out early as they were routinely humiliated and isolated by classmates and even teachers. Majority of the educated people come from the upper castes which still practice caste-based discrimination in rural schools. Therefore, Dalit girls feel discouraged from going to school. Ninety percent Dalit women live below poverty line and 80 percent are illiterate. Lack of educational resources in rural areas and privatization of schools and colleges have further contributed to lack of educational opportunities for Dalit girls.
Dalit women are vulnerable to health issues, sex trafficking, domestic violence, verbal abuse, lack of land ownership, social boycott and illiteracy. Their representation in security apparatus, bureaucracy, legislature and government is dismal. Upper caste people do not own up Dalit issues. Because of this Dalits have been unable to rise from the rubble of discrimination. Upper caste intellectuals and feminists should encourage Dalit women to join political mainstream because most Dalit women are alienated from mainstream women's movement.
Women overall are victims of male chauvinists. Men have always used women as toys of pleasure. Most differences between men and women stem from thousands of years of conditioning. Women are psychologically conditioned by men to do this and avoid that. Different feminist movements have challenged the manmade codes and women are able to decide for themselves between the right and the wrong. Women are free individuals and not someone's property.
Dalit women are at the bottom of our society. Dalit women, Badis, Gandharwas and Tarai Dalits must be empowered and encouraged to participate in all state mechanisms. The upcoming constitution should ensure proportional representation of Dalit women at all state organs.
The government must develop national action plan to address the issues of marginalized Dalit women. There should be provision of special vocational training to empower Dalit women economically, politically and educationally. Let us empower them so they can live with dignity.
The author is a meditation practitioner and women's self-defense expert
girithejorba@gmail.com
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