Rural Community Development Service Council (RCDSC)

The organisation works to protect the rights and defend the issues of Dalits, women and children in rural Nepal, as they believe these groups are most vulnerable to the effects of conflict.

Overview

RCDSC works for the Dalits (the oppressed people in the Hindu caste discrimination system) and deprived sections of society in rural areas of Terai. The organisation has initiated many projects on income generation, health awareness and services, and respect for people's rights.

The second type of work the RCDSC undertakes is to build and strengthen peace networks at the district and village levels. It has organised activities such as a peace campaign, training and workshops for human rights and peace, to increase local awareness on those issues.

The RCDSC has been putting pressure on the central government to end the conflict through regular peace rallies and other local initiatives for peace. It has conducted training on negotiation and dialogue skills for community groups and human rights activists, and also has an ambulance to provide emergency services for people in need and the victims of natural disasters.

The RCDSC has put a lot of emphasis on preventing Dalits and the deprived from becoming involved in the armed conflict. In many cases, Dalit people have been coerced by the rebels to join the conflict in return for a source of income. The Dalit people typically have very low incomes. The RCDSC works to prevent this from happening by protecting Dalit men and women against caste and gender discrimination and violence. It works to develop leadership skills amongst Dalits so that they can have a share in the local resources and participate in decision making processes in local governance.

Caste discrimination is deeply rooted in Nepal and this is very common in Mahottari district. Caste discrimination is one of the causes of the conflict in Nepal and the organisation hopes that working against this will help mitigate the existing conflict in rural areas and establish peace. This work involves campaigning against various kinds of traditional institutions like the dowry system, veil system, child marriage, child labour, and the belief in witchcraft. The RCDSC believes these relate to the conflict because one of the demands of the Maoists’ Peoples’ War is to fully liberate Nepalese women from all kind of domestic violation.

The RCDSC has set up health camps for victims of domestic violence, victims of the Maoist conflict and internally displaced people. It has initiated counselling and rehabilitation projects and plans to establish information centres for the same groups.
The RCDSC is proud of the "Caste Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Mahottari" project supported by UNDP-SPDI. Through this project the organisation has settled many caste conflict issues in Mahottari and worked to raise peoples’ awareness of non-violent means of conflict resolution. The RCDSC has also run several other successful income generation activities, particularly skill training for people displaced by conflict, enabling them to run their own businesses and sustain themselves economically.

What Services Are Provided?

Training, workshops, campaigning and an ambulance service are provided to Dalits, women, children and people affected by flooding.

Geographical Area of Operation

Rural areas of Terai in the central region of Nepal.

Funding Resources

Oxfam, World Neighbour, CECI, Australian Embassy, German Embassy, EU/UNSPA Rhiya Project, Indian Embassy, UNDP-SPDI.

What Further Information Would You Like?

Information on peacebuilding, Dalit involvement in conflict transformation and peacebuilding, humanitarian relief for flood victims, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS etc.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

People and organisations who have been involved in the above sectors.

Associated Organisations

UNDP-SPDI Network, Himwanti, Shasahasa -Dalit Network, Women Pressure Group.