Asha Kowtal
A two day event planned in Delhi from tomorrow, September 30th, is one small step in the long and arduous journey of Dalit women reclaiming their rights. The programme will be held at Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) is organizing the National Tribunal – Violence against Dalit Women in India on September 30th and October 1st, 2013. This event will bring together over 100 victims and their families to depose before a jury. The Jury comprising of prominent activists and legal experts will bring out clear recommendations for each case and will commit to highlight the multiple forms of discrimination faced by Dalit women.
The Tribunal aims at building a concerted discourse and conversation on the caste and gender based violence and will feed into the larger campaign envisaged to end violence against Dalit women in India.
An interactive dialogue within the Dalit women activists is also planned which will create a space for ground level challenges and barriers to be openly discussed. Young committed Dalit women have been raising the issues, supporting the victims and fighting the battle with every ounce of energy. What are their key concerns? What are their specific needs? This session will aim to chart the hurdles and seek a possible solution through the collective discussion.
The Jury recommendations and the experiences of Dalit women survivors of violence will be placed before the media at a press conference. The objective of the engagement with the media is to ensure that voices of the women reach far and wide. It is also aimed at sensitizing the public and demand their solidarity and action for justice.
The programme will be led by Dalit Women and will reflect the experiences, articulations, dreams and aspirations of Dalit women, both young and old.
All are welcome.
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