Transcript Document

Methodist Women in Britain ww.mwib.org.uk
The Dalit Women’s
Cry for Justice
India is the 7th largest country in the world.
Population over 1.24 bn, over 26% are Dalit or Tribal
India’s economic boom may have led to
a rich elite and growing middle class,
however 450 million people continue to
live in extreme poverty.
These people are often Dalit or Tribal
people, which means they are
discriminated against, marginalised and
considered to be less important in
society.
They are often unaware of their basic
human rights to education, healthcare
and services.
Source MRDF website
• Eking out a living
DALIT
Root word – Dal
In Sanskrit and Hebrew mean:
crushed, split, rent asunder,
oppressed, broken, destroyed,
scattered etc.
Of the 1.2 billion people in India, Dalits and
Tribals make up 26% of the population, and
most remain destitute and illiterate.
They have given themselves the name Dalit –
crushed, broken.
The Hindu caste system which believes social
status is linked to the actions – good or bad – of
a previous existence results in a contemptuous
regard for the poor.
Walking to church in Ambelohol
Caste - A Brief History
The caste system has its
roots in ancient manuscripts,
the Vedas, dating back to
1500-1200 BCE.
Human Beings Created from
God Brahma’s Body
Brahmins from Head
(Priestly class)
Kshatriyas from Shoulders
(Warriors/Ruling class)
Vaisyas from Thighs
(Business class)
Sudras from the feet
(Servant Class)
‘To be Dalit is much worse than
being poor, for no matter how
much education or wealth a Dalit
accumulates, he or she remains
polluted, a shame on the face of
the earth.’
Tim Stafford, writing in Christianity Today
The untouchables (Dalits) –
Purity and Pollution
• ‘As a young girl I had to walk with my hands behind my back
holding a broom so that when I walked my footsteps were
wiped out and the Brahmins would not be polluted by them.
• Whenever our shadow fell on a Brahmin, they would run
with fear and sprinkle water over us, because they thought if
they stepped into our shadow they would be polluted.
• The only time we were allowed near the Brahmin’s houses
was when one of their animals died and then we would have
to drag it away.’
Valerie Mason-John: Broken Voices Untouchable Women Speak 2008
Discrimination against Dalits
Although discrimination and atrocities against
Dalit or Tribal people are outlawed:The majority of Dalits in India are forced to live
in colonies rural villages or in city slums.
The majority of ‘bonded labourers’ in India (up
to 60 million) are Dalits
A report in 2006 stated that :-
Public health workers refused to visit homes in 33% of
villages.
Dalits were prevented from entering Police Stations in 26.7%
of villages.
Dalits were denied access to water sources in 48.4% of
villages because of segregation and untouchability practices.
Dalit children had to sit separately while eating in 37.8% of
schools.
Dalits are not allowed to drink in the tea shops.
Literacy rates for Dalit women are less than 40% in rural
India.
Untouchability in Rural India 2006
Drumming is a traditional Dalit activity – used more
recently to express their situation/oppression
Violence against Dalits
It is estimated that :Every 2 hours a Dalit is assaulted.
Every day:3 Dalit women are raped,
2 Dalits are murdered and
2 Dalit houses are burned.
‘A Cry for Dignity’ Mary C Grey
A problem – worldwide?
Caste oppression follows Dalits when they leave India
hoping to escape Caste.
Approx 50,000 Dalits live in the UK. Areas of concern
are:‘Discrimination in employment, education and
religious institutions, particularly in relation to access
to temples’
Dalit Solidarity Network in Britain
‘Thrice Dalit’
Christian Dalit women endure a threefold
discrimination:• Dalit by birth – caste discrimination
• Dalit woman – discriminated against for being
female, within their own family and marriage
even by their husbands who frequently beat
them and allow them to bear an unequal burden
of work.
• Dalit Christian – not entitled to financial and
legal support given by law to other Dalits (incl
Buddhist and Sikh Dalits)
• Women are always dominated, submissive to
father, brothers, husband, especially in rural
areas. A high proportion of them are illiterate
(more than 60%)
• They continue to be victims of crimes of
violence and receive little protection under the
law.
• We heard that when girl babies are born, the
mothers shed tears (thinking of the suffering
she will face);
•
Deborah Kirk 2012
• At home – little girl – attitude of hopelessness
• A boy baby is treated the heir of the family; but
a girl will leave the home to go to someone
else’s, so they have no value for the family.
• In poor families, thinking of the dowry, parents
are reluctant to spend money on the education
of girls.
•
Deborah Kirk 2012
A Woman’s work is never done
‘The women work as hard
as the men without
counting the household
chores, which they must do
as well’
Robert Deliege The Untouchables of India
Woman carrying wood
Women may also be manual labourers in agriculture,
road repairs/cleaning, rock breaking,
removal of dead animals, manual scavenging.
They are paid less than men for these tasks, and
often have children working alongside them
Men and women repairing a road. A number of young children work
alongside the adults, carrying stones in baskets on their heads.
Manual Scavenging
–
removal of human
excrement from
dry latrines
Niita cleans 25
toilets daily and is
paid less than 40
rupees per house
per month
Photos courtesy of Dalit Solidarity Network UK
www.dsnuk.org
Niita works in private homes, where she is regarded by the
homeowners as unclean
(photo courtesy Dalit Solidarity Network UK dsnuk.org)
A cry for Dignity – can we help?
Swapna comes from village of Denga-amba,
Gajapati District. Swapna means ‘Dream’
• Without education, her prospects are such
that she is unlikely to be able to break out of
the constraints of her life, she will remain
marginalised and oppressed, to struggle all
her life.
• Education is the strongest tool of
empowerment – a woman who is educated
cannot be pushed aside so easily, a woman
who is educated has a voice, a woman who is
educated has a chance for her dream of a
future to become reality.
•
Deborah Kirk 2012
A Story of Hope
In 2012 the church in Berhampur pledged to give Sulakhani, a
young tribal girl from the forest village of Denga-Amba, 1IR
per day to enable her to study for her BTh training.
In 2013 Sulakhani has now married a young man from her
village and is now working as an evangelist particularly
among the women. However, to be appointed as a female
pastor will not be easy, please pray for Sulakhani.
Methodist Women
in Britain is in
partnership with
the Church in North
India and has
pledged to raise
£50,000 between
2013-2016
CNI plan to use this money to
develop their hostel education
programme for Dalit girls
and to fund self-help groups
for adult women.
(more information in the Resource pack)