Kathmandu, 17 January: The Dalit Women’s Association (FEDOA) has honored journalists from the Dalit community. At a program organized by FEDO here today, FEDO founding chair Durga Sowa and general secretary Renu Sijamati honored journalists from the Dalit community elected in the recently concluded Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) elections.
FEDO has honored Federation Vice President Umit Bagchand, Secretary Prakash Dhaulakoti, Central Member Rita Budhathoki, Federation of Journalists Foundation Province Secretary Ramesh Tamata, Federation of Journalists Foundation Executive Committee member Ishwori Bishwakarma, and Federation Bhaktapur District Executive Committee member Anjit Singh BK.
On the same occasion, Vice-Chairman of Nepal Samajwadi Party (New Power) Sob stressed the need for government and private sector mass media to become inclusive in terms of content and participation.
“It is not a big deal to be elected as an office bearer and working committee member of the Federation of Journalists from the Dalit community. It is also important to know what work the journalists representing the Dalit community have done for the journalists of the Dalit community during their tenure in the Federation. Therefore, those who have now won the election and reached the Federation should work more for the rights and interests of Dalit journalists,” he said.
Bagchand, the newly elected vice-president of the Federation, expressed his commitment to work for the rights and interests of journalists from the Dalit community and for inclusion as long as he remains in the Federation. He said that he will work for the physical participation of the Dalit community along with the content in both government and private media.
General Secretary Sijapati, citing the provision of proportional participation of the Dalit community in the Constitution of Nepal, expressed the view that the media, the fourth organ of the state, should be inclusive in all respects.
Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) was established in 1994 as a non-profit, non-political and secular NGO by a group of Dalit women with a passion for eliminating caste and gender discrimination in Nepal. It is a leading organization advocating for Dalit rights and women’s rights simultaneously. It stands as a major resource organization for gender equality and social inclusion. With a vision of a ‘just and equitable society’, FEDO has placed Dalit women at the center of its initiatives.
What is FEDO?
The Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) in Nepal is a prominent non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to the empowerment and upliftment of Dalit women, one of the most marginalized groups in Nepal. FEDO works to promote social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of caste-based discrimination. It was established in 1994 and has since been a key advocate for the rights of Dalit women.
Purpose and Objectives of FEDO
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Empowerment of Dalit Women:
- Enhance the social, economic, and political status of Dalit women through education, skill development, and leadership training.
- Encourage active participation of Dalit women in decision-making processes at all levels.
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Advocacy and Rights Protection:
- Advocate for the rights of Dalit women and fight against caste- and gender-based discrimination.
- Lobby for the implementation of laws and policies that protect Dalit women’s rights and address systemic inequalities.
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Capacity Building:
- Build the capacity of Dalit women and girls through training programs in various sectors, including entrepreneurship, education, and governance.
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Social Justice and Inclusion:
- Promote the inclusion of Dalit women in mainstream society by challenging discriminatory practices and norms.
- Work towards the elimination of untouchability and other caste-based practices.
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Economic Development:
- Support income-generating activities for Dalit women, helping them achieve economic independence.
- Provide access to financial resources, such as microcredit programs.
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Awareness Raising:
- Conduct campaigns and awareness programs to educate communities about the rights of Dalit women.
- Use media, publications, and grassroots activities to highlight the issues faced by Dalit women.
Key Activities of FEDO
- Organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions on women’s rights and leadership.
- Facilitating access to education for Dalit girls.
- Advocating for policy changes and legal reforms at local and national levels.
- Promoting Dalit women’s participation in local governance and politics.
- Partnering with national and international organizations to strengthen advocacy efforts.
Impact of FEDO
FEDO has played a critical role in empowering Dalit women in Nepal by:
- Increasing awareness of their rights.
- Promoting their representation in leadership roles.
- Addressing social injustices and discrimination faced by Dalit women.
- Contributing to community development and poverty alleviation.