The Dalit Foundation pursues the world's most important value - equality - and works to end the injustice of caste discrimination. By so doing, the Foundation works for the whole of humankind.
Barry Knight: Noted social scientist, Founder and Associate, CENTRIS, UK
Dalit Foundation is a registered charitable trust (no. E/16122/
Ahmedabad) under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 (29th Act).
Ms. Kiran and Ms. Sarvari have been awarded the Dalit Foundation fellowship for creating awareness among dalit and muslim women in 15 villages of Madhupur block of Deoghar District. For a deeper understanding, a household survey was initiated which helped to zero down and intervene on various issues.
It was found that trafficking and false marriage of women is quite common in the area. Girls are forced to migrate as domestic servant to other states. Kiran and Sarvari identify such cases and prevent this by building consensus and support among the stakeholders.
Child Marriage was quite prevalent. As older girls require more dowries, most of families prefer to get their girls married at an early age. Kiran and Sarvari create awareness and sensitisation of the community on the consequences of early marriages. Many families have started enrolling their girls to informal study centres being run by Kiran and Sarvari in the community.
Adolescent Groups provide girls a platform to express their concerns. Through this group girls have become vocal and sensitized towards issues like trafficking, child marriage consequences, importance of education, and responsibilities after marriage etc.
Awareness programmes on Right of Information, child marriage, Alcoholism,health issues, trafficking and Government schemes- NERGA are being organised and issues related these are taken up with approriate autholities.
Counseling to victims of violence and legal support is also provided. All filed cases are either solved through one to one settlement or police support. Linkage with Media has helped bring these issues to light and recognition of the success has garnered more confidence and support for the work.
Copyright 2009 @ Dalit Foundation All rights reserved
