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Women in Development: Sujata Gaire<\/a><\/blockquote><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!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);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/www.dib.dk\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.dib.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-1.jpeg","thumbnail_width":343,"thumbnail_height":227,"description":"PAVING THE WAY FOR DALIT COMMUNITIES Part of the Women in Development article series Written by Olivia Vargas Illum & Magnus Geds\u00f8 Poulsen We were brought up with the saying, \u201cNever judge a book by its cover.\u201d Then imagine that, before you are even born, a preconception about your being and options in life has already been applied. In Nepal, around 81% of the population have claimed their religion as Hindu, thus placing them within the caste system. The caste system is a classification based on their relative ritual purity into the four Varnas: the Brahman priests, the Kshatriyas kings and warriors, the Vaisya traders and businessmen, and the Shudra peasants and labourers. Additionally, there is another group characterised as outside the caste system, because the Dalit community, historically placed outside the caste system because of of what was considered an occupation that was ritually defiling, marking them as \u201cuntouchable\u201d by others. This system plays a major role in determining the identity, social status and opportunities\/options in life for a person. The four Varnas are very broadly characterised, making the distinction from the placement of one occupation to another blurry, while also making it almost impossible to break the mold. Making it even more difficult in 1854 during the Rana rule, when the Muluki Ain (National Legal Code) was proclaimed. Here laid detailed rules for inter-caste behavior and specified punishment for infringement – judging a book before the cover is even made. A Seat at the Table In later years, the Muluki Ain has been revised and adjusted, making it illegal in Nepal to discriminate based on caste. Also the NGO CHILDREN-Nepal has accommodated individuals from outside the caste system by looking to hire a Programme Coordinator with the specific requirement that the candidate had to be from the Dalit Community. Both to bring awareness to the lack of Dalit representation in a programme that supports Dalit children and families, and that having an employee from the same marginalised community can build a stronger trust, but also because it creates opportunities for Dalit individuals, who historically have had fewer pathways into professional careers. Sujata Gaire has a Bachelor degree in Management and worked as an accountant in the private sector for five years, some of which while still being in school. She resigned her job due to a need for six months maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter, when her workplace would only offer her three months. With a hunger for new challenges and possible options, she stumbled upon a vacancy announcement in the paper, which caught her attention for one reason – they were looking for a candidate from the Dalit community. Alongside the employment period, she came to know that the work revolved around opportunities for Dalit girls, which made her even more interested in the job. Although the organisation was clearing the path for a Dalit individual, they did not make the application process easy. Sujata Gaire had to fill a form, give a written exam, a computer exam, an interview and a writing test. Steering clear of the obstacles in the pathway, she acquired the job and has been working for CHILDREN-Nepal as a Programme Coordinator of the Children and Family section for the past two and a half years. Her work involves supporting marginalised children and families by being responsible for three different schools and approximately 50 students, making sure they are well, receiving an education, and thriving in school and at home, while also organising and facilitating local community programmes focused on education and empowerment for children and parents, respectively. Furthermore, writing reports for the individual sponsors and the project itself. A Role Model Sujata was brought up in the Dalit community. She mentions that in the years she was born she did not face an \u201cuntouchable\u201d situation and adds that it is lucky that she was not born in the rural community. However, she states that it is illegal to directly discriminate based on caste, but that the harsh reality is that it happens indirectly. While she did not face the extreme \u201cuntouchable\u201d discrimination, as she phrases it, she still remembers situations where she was not allowed into the kitchen of her upper-caste friends and not being able to rent a house because of her background as Dalit. This has clearly made a mark on Sujata Gaire, adding at the end \u201c[..it] is very disgusting\u201d, but her experiences has, however, made her more determinant and hardworking in every aspect, but especially in her work with Dalit girls and the community. Sujata Gaire\u2019s background has become one of her greatest strengths in her work. When she visits the Dalit community, she shares her background and, as she says with a smile, \u201c\u2026they feel so proud of me.\u201d Furthermore, it ignites a spark in them saying: I can also do that! Making them feel capable, thus working harder and prioritising education. Sujata Gaire does not only encourage the community by being Dalit herself but also because she manages to create a positive and comfortable environment that facilitates vulnerability and dialogue. However, she adds with a wink and smile: \u201cLadies love to share things.\u201d Not Always a Bed of Roses Despite Sujata Gaire\u2019s passion for her work, she also points out challenges women of Nepal face in their workplace in general, such as not being fully included in decision-making processes, even when decision directly affect their time or area of expertise. Sujata Gaire herself, has experienced this in her professional career and adresses, that one of the main obstacles for women is, that they are not treated with the same importance and respect as their male colleagues. \u201cEvery NGO has a policy of gender equality,\u201d she says, while making a grimace and adding \u201cBut in behaviour, most women do not feel like there is.\u201d It is difficult to clock out of humanitarian work, like you would a bartending job, as there is always more that can be done to support communities. At times, this can continue reading"}