Background: Bangladesh has a population of 170 million people and it is one of the least developed countries in the world. Among the total population, there is an estimated 10 million Dalits and 1.6 million indigenous (Adibashi) living in 64 districts. Additional, approximately 9.6 percent Minorities live in entire Bangladesh. Most of the Dalits are Hindus and few are Christians and Muslims. Dalit and Indigenous communities in Bangladesh are neglected and deprived, and the cause of this discrimination is rooted in their identity at birth. The idea of untouchability is at the root of the Indian subcontinent’s discriminative society. Though the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees non-discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, religion sex, and birth, Dalits continue to be oppressed and discriminated against in public place, villages, education institutions, job market and on the political rights leaving them with little respite in any sphere or at any juncture of their lives.
The vision of the Parittran is to ensure the dignity and well-being of all women, children and youth, and especially of Dalits and Excluded people. It promotes rights and improve the quality of life of the most excluded and marginalized communities (Dalit, Indigenous and Excluded people) of Bangladesh. Parittran is playing role to enhance national and local engagement to eliminate caste-based discrimination. Its works to create a more just society for Dalit, Indigenous and Excluded people. Parittran works to create a more just society. It focuses on victims of the recent conflict and dalit people, promoting basic human rights and re-integrating marginalized people. It works to address social exclusion, in the belief that caste discrimination is a major contributor to the conflict in Bangladesh.
Goal: To ensure the dignity and well-being of all women, children and youth, and especially of Dalits and Excluded people.
Outcomes:
1.To ensure equality of women and men with regard to political representation and for women and men irrespective of their caste/group belonging.
1.To ensure an inclusive society where people enjoy equal rights and human dignity.
Outputs:
1.Increased access to economic opportunities for Dalit and Excluded people, especially women, children and youth;
2.Enhanced dalit and excluded people, particularly of women, participation in social and political activities, from the local to the central, state level;
1.Increased knowledge on livelihood options for ensuring dignity and healthy life for Dalit and Excluded people, especially women, children and youth;
2.Greater empowerment of women among the Dalit and Excluded people.
Experience:
From its inception, PARITTRAN has been implementing various projects related to promoting rights of dalit community people through applying rights-based approach and engagement of the respective stakeholders.
Achievement:
The direct intervention of Parittran’s advocacy and action has brought about the following positive outcomes:
A special budget allocation in the national budget for dalit people.
The reservation of 1% posts in higher education for dalit people (i.e., Dhaka University etc.).
A policy for dalit community development under the government operated Social Safety Net Programme.
A special loan support for dalit community development, under the government operated Social Safety Net Programme.
In the year of 2015-16 a special allocation for dalit people development from the department of Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
In the year 2009 an anti-discrimination law, currently under process of approval, has been drafted.
The establishment of the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad at district level (54 parishads), at divisional level (7 parishads) and at national level (1 parishad). The district and divisional level committees has 41 members each; while the national level committee has 51 members.
The promotion of leadership skills for 9000 people who are now playing an active role in dalit communities’ development.
In the financial year 2014-15 a special program was taken up from the department of social welfare for Bade, Horijan and Dalit community people for their socio-economic development.
An increased access to public places and services for the Dalit community people.
A total of 5,330 Dalit community people was provided with Legal Aid.
A total of 15,893 Dalit community people was given psychosocial counseling.