Human Rights Of Dalit Women: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The term “Dalit” was popularized by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It meant divided, it’s a self-chosen political name of the people, who are considered untouchables. They consist of various groups across South Asia, speak a variety of languages and practice various religions. In India’s caste system, the Dalits are traditionally regarded as the lowest of the low. Seen as “unclean”, they are considered untouchables by the higher caste. The sense of 2011 states that just 16% population in India are Dalits that roughly makeup 200 million people in India1. They call outside the traditional fourfold caste system and primarily continue to be considered by the upper caste as impure and polluting. As a result, this large portion of the Indian Population has been relegated to a lifetime of discrimination, exploitation, and violence. Though we are a part of the 21st millennium, caste discrimination and age-old practices that dehumanize and perpetuate a curial form of discrimination continue to be practiced. In India where the practice is rampant despite the existence of legislation to stop this discrimination 160 million Dalits of which 49.96% are women continue to suffer more discrimination2. The discrimination that Dalit women are subject to is similar to racial discrimination. They are considered impure and therefore socially excluded. Women in India particularly in a state with a long feudal history hence faced discrimination not just on the basis of gender but are numerous other factors like caste, community, religion, etc. in spite of all the constitutional safeguards as well as different laws meant to support women’s honor and dignity, the Dalit women is still the most challenging section of the society. Studies reveal that Dalit women are far weaker than not only upper caste women but also higher sub caste of schedule caste and she has been prone to all forms of atrocities. Denied the basic necessities of life, in fact, the Dalit women are often referred to as thrice Dalit as they suffer from the triple operations of poverty, being female and being female Dalit. They are denied access to education, meaningful employment, and health provision and are exposed to many forms of violence. This paper is an attempt to look into the problems of Dalit women.