Due to the system of untouchability still in practice in Nepal, its Dalit women can neither adopt the professions of their choice. That is why they are forced to endure double violence: socially as Dalits, and domestically as women.[break]
As per the latest Census (2011), Dalits comprise 13.2% of Nepal’s total population. To be precise, there are 3.4 million Dalits in the country, and half of whom are women. In this way, the Dalit female population is around 1.7 million – the chunk of population at the lowest level of the society in the country.
According to a recent survey, despite many forms of domination meted out to Dalit women, they are faced mainly with two problems: social persecution in the name of untouchabilty, and gender-based violence (GBV).
A survey carried out by the Federation of Dalit Women (FDW) in 16 districts in the five Development Regions of Nepal showed that Dalit women are mostly victim to caste-based discrimination and GBV.
Durga Sob, Chairperson of FDW and Dalit rights activist, said that Dalit women are subject to more violence than Nepali women in general.
“Dalit women are more prone to violence than other Nepali women. They are subject to violence not only because they are women, they are also treated as untouchables in the society. Thus, their suffering becomes twofold,” said Sob.
Suppressed under the society’s overbearing attitude against Dalitds and treated as a weaker sex in their own community, Dalit women are unable to raise their voices against the unfair treatment meted out to them, Sob maintained. She further stated that lack of awareness and caste-based discrimination rampant in the Nepali society make life for Dalit women harsher to bear.
“Even if Dalit women want to come out of the house standing against GBVs at home, they aren’t likely to be helped by the society because they face another wall of segregation, that of caste-based discrimination, in addition to the practice of untouchability,” said Sob. “So they don’t dare speak up for their rights,” she added, further stating that the razing of the social wall of segregation is not easy, either.
“For the emancipation of the Dalit women, it’s mandatory in the first place to end caste-based violence and GBVs perpetuated against them,” she added.
The marginalized Dalit community itself has been struggling for its identity and self-respect in the society. Being financially weak, community members are devoid of education opportunities that further exacerbate the situation for the new generations of the community to come.
“Even if one likes to do something for the sake of the community, the financial resource as well as rampant illiteracy come as main hindrances on the path, “said Sushila Sirpali Thakuri, Chairman of National Dalit Commission. “How Dalit women can utter words of protest with such situation at hand?” she questions.
Shesh Chandtara, Chairperson of National Women Commission (NWC), analyzed that women’s status in the Madhesi Dalit community is even more pathetic than any other women in the country.
“Madhesi Dalit women are still inside the four walls of domesticity. They are still limited to kitchen chores. They still aren’t aware of GBV. They suffer from caste-based, gender-based as well as class-based discriminations,” she added. She further underscored the need of separate and special campaigns and programs to deal with the problems faced by Madhesi Dalit women.
Women’s participation from the Dalit community in education is very low. A study carried out recently showed that only 2.8% of Dalit women have had access to higher education. Without education, there is no chance of getting into the employment sector.
With such situations at hand, Dalit rights activists are of the opinion that the blanket movement for the emancipation of the entire Nepali womenfolk does not work out the problems in the cases of Dalit women.
Dalit women’s rights activist Gaura Nepali said that the problems of Dalit women are neither addressed by women’s rights movements nor by the struggles of Dalit emancipation. She is of the opinion that Dalit women are overlooked in any movement having taken place in the country so far.
“The Dalit movement in the country has reached a certain high at present. But it’s an irony that the community has done precious little to address the problems faced by its own female members,” said Nepali.
According to Sob, women’s participation in the Dalit movement is negligible. She blamed the male-dominated society and the patriarchal mindset for such a shameful situation. Even holistic women’s movement for their emancipation has utterly failed to include Dalit women.
Dhan Kumari Sunar, former member of NWC, also said that the abolition of caste-based discrimination of the society as a prerequisite for the end of domestic violence against Dalit women.
“Women’s movements should duly understand that without a complete forbiddance of untouchability and caste-based discrimination, emancipation of women as a whole in the true sense is impossible,” said Sunar. “Women’s movements should make anti-untouchability as one of their main agendas. Only then it’ll pave the way to end the GBV,” she added.
Lagging behind in all aspects—education, awareness and economics – of empowerment, an awareness program is needed to increase Dalit women’s participation in education. Without education on GBV, domestic violence as well as social discrimination against them won’t subside.
Dalit rights activist Gajadhar Sunar advocates that Dalit women should be made self-dependent so that they can protest any form of violence against them in their own right.
Dalit rights activists duly emphasize on the need of introducing effective legal provisions to check GBV. They also advocate for making the judiciary a women-friendly agency.
Sancharika Feature Service
Nepali Dalit women The silent sufferers
Dalit women of Nepal are often treated as second-class human beings and are deprived of their basic rights. In such a scenario, it is not surprising that they are the ones who are more prone to domestic violence and other forms of abuse.
Republica’s Pratibha Rawal met up with Durga Sob, Chairman of Sankalpa – Women’s Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Democracy, to find out her takes on domestic violence and how she thinks an end can be made to it.
It’s said that Dalit women are more likely to suffer from domestic violence. Is that true?
Yes, that’s true. A recent study has also shown that 80% of Dalit women are victims of different kinds of domestic violence, sexual assaults, and trafficking, among other issues of violence.
What are the reasons behind domestic violence to Dalit women in the country?
Poor financial condition, lack of education and awareness are some reasons why Dalit women are more prone to suffer from domestic violence. Another reason is our social construction which still gives high priority to the rich and high castes only and treats Dalits almost like non-humans. Most of them have no idea where to report crimes committed against them.
Is there any difference between the Dalit women of the cities and rural Dalit women? Are they equally suppressed by the society?
There’s a huge difference between Dalit women living in urban and rural areas. Dalit women belonging to rural areas are more forward and outspoken than those living in urban areas. It may sound strange but it’s true. In urban areas, Dalit women are always trying to hide their true identities. Many don’t want people to know their real caste, so they change their last names. But in rural areas, Dalit women are always ready to fight for their rights. They don’t attempt to hide their identity; rather they try to create their own identity in the society. We’ve made several attempts to bring together Kathmandu’s Dalit women but not a single person is ready to be a member of our organization.
Despite having a number of social organizations working for women’s rights, why hasn’t the scenario changed?
We aren’t all that powerful to bring about a huge transformation.What organizations can do is support them so that they are able to speak out against the violence and suppression they have been putting up with for a long time. The social organizations can show that they don’t have to suffer in silence. In this, the organizations are working as a bridge between them and the concerned authorities.
What do you think can and should be done for the overall empowerment of women?
As I said earlier, in order to bring about any changes or development in this sector, the government should take strong initiatives and implement as well as enforce the laws. As of now, many laws are just limited to papers and files only and aren’t being enforced. News of rape cases and domestic violence continue to make headlines every single day and it’s becoming an extremely grave issue. The government has never shown any strong interest in curbing domestic violence, and without its support this sensitive issue can’t be brought under control. Ultimately, it’s the government which can do a lot to put an end to domestic violence and it’s high time they attended to it with the urgency it requires.
Related story
Studies reveal dalit women endure higher levels of violence
