Summary:

Panma Dev Sah, aged-90, is resident of ward no. 3, Pathara VDC, Bara District. She shared that earlier the situation of CBD&U was worse in Pathera VDC. People were discriminated in accessing water taps, health services and other services in the community, which was meant to be provided to higher caste community only. No one dared to go against discriminatory culture. People from Dalit community were deprived in participating in local forums,training and programs. Dalit women were more prone to domestic violence and were deprived to access public services due to their poor economic condition and their status in their community. Earlier, people didn’t use to take drinking water from same tap for other community people. She said that, people are more aware about human rights, laws and provisions now.Now; Dalit and non-Dalit community have been accessing public taps together, sitting and eating together in functions in the community. She would like to give all credit to awareness created by HR education campaign (Door to door campaign) conducted in Pathera VDC which made this possible. Everyone have been aware about various laws in regard of CBD&U, so people are often conscious if they would commit any mistakes unknowingly.

Challenges:

Discriminatory culture and customs in society have been leading cause for vulnerable situation of Dalit community. They have been deprived to every kind of access to enjoy their rights since very beginning of caste system in Nepal. Nobody dares to break the culture and obeys silently by the fear of being boycotted from the society.

Initiative:

HR education campaign has created momentum in community level by sensitizing them with regard to CBD&U. HR education campaign was conducted in three different steps including HR education workshop, meeting with CBOs for coordination and door to door campaign reaching every household at community level. Major aim of the program was to awarethe people about their rights and duties relate to human rights. According to Panama Devi Sah, situation has been become different after conducting that program at her community. She is very happy with the changing situation in her community and encourages everyone to participate in programs related to Human rights. She believes this has helped creating peaceful environment in her village. There is no chaos in her community these days related to CBD&U.

Results:

Dalit and non-Dalit community people are staying together and participating in the community functions. As shared by Panma Devi Sah, situation has been become different these days in Pathera VDC. She is one of the examples who has witnessed situation across 90 years from now. All of sudden, people became aware about Human rights laws and regulations. People started treating everyone equally. She is very happy with situation of her VDC.