On this page
Women’s Empowerment
A programme to protect women, children, Dalits and other vulnerable groups in Nepali society against social discrimination.
Description
The RCDSC has been implementing the programme with the aim of protecting the target groups of Dalits, women, children and marginal farmers against caste discrimination, child labour, child marriage, human trafficking, caste/class violence, gender violence and all other forms of social discrimination and injustice. In addition, the organisation has been implementing a programme on human rights and peace by conducting workshops, training and peace rallies etc.
The organisation hopes to help its service users become self-reliant so that they have a share in community resources and proper participation in the decision-making bodies of society. By undertaking the above activities, the organisation has been eliminating structural violence and supporting peace and respect for human rights at both the local and national levels.
Aims / Objectives
This initiative aims to:
- Deter the Dalits and deprived from joining the armed conflict by educating them about the conflict and providing them with alternative options for livelihoods;
- Organise Dalit men and women against caste and gender discrimination and violence (this has been included in the 40 point demand of the Maoists);
- Develop leadership skills amongst the Dalits in order to have a share in local resources and to participate in the decision-making process in local governance;
- Manage the existing conflict in rural areas and establish peace; and
- Start to campaign against various traditional repressive institutions like the dowry system, veil system, child marriage, child labour, belief in witchcraft etc. The organisation believes that these practices are all related to structural violence and should therefore be eliminated in the interests of sustainable peace.
How it is Articulated
Forming of groups, workshops, training, seminars and discussion, identification of appropriate programmes, research, planning, evaluation and monitoring, running health clinics andambulance service.
Achievements / Learning Points
- Women's Empowerment: Women's groups have been formed and mobilised for work on income generation, human rights awareness and peace. Around 800 women have benefited from the programme;
- Dalit Empowerment: Around 300 Dalits and 150 Dalit children have benefited from the programme;
- The organisation was able to raise issues and highlight incidents of violence against women, particularly cultural violence such as witch hunting, both at the national and district levels. The organisation also rehabilitated some female victims;
- The RCDSC has organised the Dalits of 4 VDCs and they have formed a Dalit organisation in each VDC called the Dalit Samasya Samadhan Samitis (Committee for Resolving the Dalit's Problems). These committees have taken up issues such as the birth certificates, citizenship of Dalits and the health and cleanliness of their surroundings and have also launched a school campaign for Dalit girls and participated in village affairs with the VDC secretaries and decision makers; and
- The organisation similarly has organised four “Mahila Manchs” (Women’s Forum) in four VDCs to increase the participation of women in the decision-making processes of the VDCs.
Geographical Area of Operation
Rural areas of Terai in central Nepal
Funding Resources
Oxfam, World Neighbour, CECI, Australian Embassy, German Embassy, EU/UNSPA Rhiya Project, Indian Embassy, UNDP-SPDI.
Associated Organisations
Partner organisations in district:
- Mahila Sachetana Samuha, Mahottari
- Mahila Jagriti Pariyojana , Mahottari
- Mahottari Janachetanshil Samuha
- Dalit Yuwa Utthan Samiti
- Nepal Jagrit Utthan Kendra
- Samaj Kanyan Sewa Kendra.