The Plight of Dalit Women

Thrice discriminated, first they are victimized by class, followed closely by caste and most oppressively by gender; Dalit women faced an array of atrocities. Troubled by the daily difficulties that threaten their livelihoods, feeding their families, violence and rape to name a few, Dalit women overlook their emancipation. Given that gender and caste discrimination is in inherent in Indian society, ensuing from thousands of years of oppression, many women internalize their inferior position and accept it as a way of life. Even once raped, many lower caste women refused to come forward, only about 30% of cases are reported. The main reason for the silence is fear of losing one’s honor and disgracing the family name. Yet is it often in order to soil the family name that the women are raped. Upper caste men who fear their husbands or fathers wait till the men have left the home in order to attack. Many women are also sexually harassed by their employers. Those women who do come forward are often outcasted and further victimized by their communities. The justice system is also hesitant in believing that an upper caste man would pollute himself by raping a lower caste woman but cases of rape and sexual abuse are rampant. Three Dalit women are raped daily and coincidently, three village women that were ganged raped by the police, recently showed up at RDC to request Adv. Eknath Awad’s assistance in filing a case. But who can these women turn to if their own local justice bodies are committing atrocities against them? Who can they trust if their value is diminished as soon as they are born female? Their fathers, husbands, and sons discount their opinions and families abort or even murder baby girls. Why should the family honor rest solely on the chastity of women? These are only but a few questions that must muddle the mind of Dalit women and that I too struggle to comprehend. But in our struggle we must be made aware of the crucial role women play in uplifting entire communities, not only as bread winners, but by serving as role models and providing education to future generations.