Rights and emancipation for the Dalits

Project region : Rural area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh region

Duration : 2 years (2001 to 2003)

Aim : Give the social outcasts and untouchables (Dalits) the tools to mould their own destiny.

Course of action :

• Meeting and informing local communities
• Creating mutual aid comities for men and women
• Informal education for adults (covering subjects such as slavery, illiteracy, the hardships of the Dalits, women’s rights and child exploitation)
• Raising awareness regarding health and safety, women’s rights, literacy and sexual equality
• Encouraging harmony within the community, so that social justice and human rights

Towards a free society

Since its creation in 1994, Lok Chetana Samiti has campaigned to change the social structure in India, to favour the Dalits, the lower casts and women.
Lok Chetana Samiti intends to continue working towards a society free of exploitation and discrimination.

This organisation is managed by experienced social workers from the Bihar region.
The association’s efforts are focused on the Varanasi district, a zone where the social, economic, religious, cultural and political issues that are usually common in Indian are ever present.

Literacy is particularly low (around 25% and less than 10% of women), discrimination and the cast system are ever-present, the exploitation of women, children and Dalits and dowry related assassinations are all common play.

Local partners : Lok Chetana Samati

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