1.0DIBhttps://www.dib.dk/enDIBhttps://www.dib.dk/en/author/admin/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="S6IVmo0lDc"><a href="https://www.dib.dk/en/women-in-development-series/">Women in development series</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.dib.dk/en/women-in-development-series/embed/#?secret=S6IVmo0lDc" width="600" height="338" title="“Women in development series” — DIB" data-secret="S6IVmo0lDc" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.dib.dk/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script>https://www.dib.dk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/image.jpeg343227PAVING THE WAY FOR DALIT COMMUNITIES Part of the Women in development artical series Written by Olivia Vargas Illum & Magnus Gedsø Poulsen We were brought up with the saying, “Never judge a book by it’s cover.” But imagine having a preconception about who you are and what opportunities you will have in life before you are even born. In Nepal, around 81% of the population identifies as Hindu, a religion traditionally associated with the caste system. The caste system is based on the concept of social and ritual hierarchy and is traditionally divided into four main groups, known as the Varnas: the Brahmins, traditionally priests and scholars; the Kshatriyas, traditionally kings and warriors; the Vaishyas, traditionally traders and businesspeople; and the Shudras, traditionally farmers and labourers. Beyond these four groups is the Dalit community, historically placed outside the caste system because of occupations that were considered ritually impure. This led to Dalit people being labelled “untouchable” and subjected to severe discrimination. The caste system has played a significant role in determining a person’s identity, social status and opportunities in life. Although the four Varnas are broadly defined, the boundaries between them have historically been rigid, making it extremely difficult for people to break away from the social position they were born into. The situation became even more formalised in 1854, during the Rana regime, when the Muluki Ain (National Legal Code) was introduced. The code established detailed rules governing behaviour between castes and specified punishments for those who violated them — judging a book before its cover had even been made. A Seat at the Table In later years, the Muluki Ain was revised, and discrimination based on caste became illegal in Nepal. Yet legal protection does not necessarily eliminate discrimination in everyday life. One example of creating greater opportunities for Dalit people can be found at the NGO CHILDREN-Nepal. When recruiting a Programme Coordinator for a programme supporting Dalit children and families, the organisation specifically sought a candidate from the Dalit community. The decision had several purposes: to address the lack of Dalit representation within a programme working with Dalit communities, to build trust by having someone with a shared background, and to create professional opportunities for people from a community that has historically faced barriers to education and employment. One person who was given this opportunity is Sujata Gaire. Sujata holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and worked as an accountant in the private sector for five years, including during part of her studies. She left her job after giving birth to her daughter because she needed six months of maternity leave, while her workplace would only offer three. Looking for new challenges and opportunities, she came across a vacancy announcement in a newspaper. One detail immediately caught her attention: the organisation was specifically looking for a candidate from the Dalit community. She also learned that the position focused on creating opportunities for Dalit girls, which made the job even more meaningful to her. Although the organisation had opened a door for a Dalit applicant, getting through it still required determination. Sujata had to complete an application form, take a written exam and a computer test, attend an interview and complete a writing test. She successfully made it through the selection process and has now worked at CHILDREN-Nepal as a Programme Coordinator in the Children and Family section for the past two and a half years. Her work involves supporting marginalised children and families across three schools, where she is responsible for approximately 50 students. She helps ensure that they are healthy, receive an education and thrive both at school and at home. She also organises and facilitates local community programmes focused on education and empowerment for children and parents, as well as writing reports for individual sponsors and the project itself. A Role Model Sujata herself grew up in the Dalit community. She explains that she did not experience the most extreme forms of “untouchability” during her childhood and considers herself fortunate not to have grown up in a rural community, where caste-based discrimination can be particularly severe. However, she has still experienced discrimination because of her caste. While direct discrimination based on caste is illegal in Nepal, she explains that discrimination continues to happen indirectly. She remembers being prohibited from entering the kitchens of friends from higher castes and being denied the opportunity to rent a house because she is Dalit. These experiences have clearly left an impression on Sujata. Describing them, she simply says, “…it is very disgusting.” At the same time, her experiences have strengthened her determination to work hard — particularly in her work with Dalit girls and communities. Sujata’s background has become one of her greatest strengths in her work. When she visits Dalit communities, she shares her own story. As she explains with a smile, “…they feel so proud of me.” Seeing someone from their own community succeed can inspire the girls and women she works with. It gives them the feeling that they can do it too — that education and professional opportunities can be within their reach. Sujata does not only inspire the community because she is Dalit herself. She also creates a positive and comfortable environment where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable and speak openly. And, with a wink and a smile, she adds: “Ladies love to share things.” Not Always a Bed of Roses Despite her passion for her work, Sujata also points to several challenges that she and her female colleagues face in the workplace. One of these is being left out of decision-making processes, even when decisions directly affect their work, schedules or areas of expertise. According to Sujata, one of the main challenges for women working in Nepal’s development sector is that they are not always treated with the same level of importance and respect as their male colleagues. “Every NGO has a policy of gender equality,” she says, before making a grimace and adding, “But in behaviour, women do not feel continue reading