Annual Report FY 2011/12. Advisors: Bhakta Bishwakarma. Mohan Singh Sunar. Kul Bahadur Bishokarma Frits Sollewijn Gelpke

Transcription

1 Annual Report FY 2011/12 Advisors: Bhakta Bishwakarma Trilok Chand Viswas V.K. Mohan Singh Sunar Editors: Kul Bahadur Bishokarma Frits Sollewijn Gelpke Contributors: Anil Kumar Sah Anita Bishankha Jayandra Bishwakarma Deepak Kumar Timilsena Prashanta Kumar B.K. Ramsundar Nepali Geeta Aryal Dashrath Ram Od Design & Layout: Ravi Maharjan The Creation (design & print solution) Printed in Kathmandu, Nepal

2 Central Executive Committee Bhakta Bishwakarma National Chairperson Dev Narayan Ghatani Vice-Chairperson Mani Ram Dewal Vice-Chairperson Jogendra Bishwakarma Vice-Chairperson Ram Pujari Vice-Chairperson Dharma Nepali Vice-Chairperson Trilok Chand Bishwas V.K. General Secretary Tirtha B. Pariyar Sewa Under-General Secretary Rabindra Nepali Treasurer Man B. Bishwakarma Member Jay Ram Tamata Member Bimala Nepali Member Mansur Sunar Member Sanju Baitha Member Tika Bishwakarma Member Munni Devi Das Member Yadhu Kumari Magrati Member Rabi Bishwakarma Member Gobardhan Koli Member Ram Dev Pashi Member Nir Bahadur Bishwakarma Member Bachhu Sarbariya Member Susma Nepali Member

3 Message from the National Chairperson It is my honour to present this 30 th Year s Annual Report of the organisation. It is not easy for me to express our journey of three decades for Dalit rights, equality and social justice in just a few lines. The passage was dedicated not only for ensuring Dalit rights by combating caste based discrimination and untouchability but also for creating democratic atmosphere, sustainable peace and harmonious society in the country. Moreover, efforts were made for the protection and promotion of human rights, rule of law and equality for all which we achieved to some extent. Since the last couple of years, NNDSWO has been actively engaged in the issues of state restructuring and constitution making process which remained undecided and deadlock. NNDSWO is initiating dialogues and discussions for creating positive atmosphere towards Dalits participation and development. Equally, we have also been working for enacting antidiscrimination law and its effective implementation. Campaigns have been initiated to raising awareness for effective implementation of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2011 was collectively undertaken. Transition has been expanded and uncertainties and challenges are more complex. Peace process has not yet concluded and the new constitution which was supposed to ensure rights of Dalit and other marginalised people could not even be drafted. Every discussion is fragile and and consensus unimplemented. Socio-economic transformation has not been a key agenda and institutionalisation of democratic norms, culture and value is far away. However, there is still hope and people still eagerly awaiting their bright future, harmonious society and prosperous Nepal. NNDSWO will continue its efforts towards addressing these aspirations of the people. NNDSWO always tries to be hope of the people and building the brick for overall development of the nation. Despite various difficulties and deficiencies, it has optimistically devoted its efforts for building an equitable and just society. I would like to acknowledge all the contributions that has been given those people from grassroots, national and international level for the protection and promotion of human rights, social justice and dignity for all. Furthermore, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the donors and partners who believed in us and supported our mission. Equally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all board and staff members for their great contribution and hard work to achieve the goal of the organisation. Finally, I would like to urge all the concerned people to join their hands for eliminating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in Nepal. Thank you Bhakta Biswakarma National Chairperson

4 Foreword The year 2011/12 brought both opportunities and challenges in our human rights and advocacy works. The promulgation of Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2011 has brought a new avenue towards advocating human rights and non-discrimination. However, the incidences of discrimination and untouchability against Dalits did not decrease. Heinous violations of human rights of Dalits continued to occur in different corners of the country. NNDSWO has focused its advocacy and awareness programme on educating the people on the new act through its wider dissemination - radio and publications. Beyond advocacy, NNDSWO provided its support to facilitate the victims of caste based discrimination and untouchability get justice. Dalit Representation in National Politics of Nepal, publications of Report on Human Rights Situation of Dalits in Nepal and a media analysis report entitled Dimensions of Discrimination against Dalit were worthy research works and contributions of NNDSWO for the knowledge base and fact building in Dalit issues. We hope these literatures would be reference materials for academia and researcher and inputs for policy makers and tools for policy advocacy as well. The fiscal year 2011/12 is a new era in NNDSWO s efforts towards adolescent and youth empowerment and mainstreaming them in the development process. Execution of Samvad Kendra, a model initiative in partnership with Stromme Foundation, is a step for adolescent empowerment from where girls aged build their confidence and get life skills through participatory learning process. During the year, 575 adolescent girls in Rautahat benefitted from 30 Samvad Kendra. The initiative for financial empowerment of children and youth in partnership with Save the Children was another innovative intervention in youth empowerment. A rigorous and participatory process of developing sustainability plan and a series of reflection exercises for developing future modality of 15 NCSEP implementing District Chapters has opened up new frontiers for the utilisation of endowment fund and for the effective management of NCSEP. The initiatives for local fundraising by NCSEP implementing District Chapters is noteworthy efforts towards the sustainability of the programme and institutional development of the organisation. We are very grateful to our strategic partners [DanidaHUGOU, SC and VSO Nepal] as well as project partners [NED, FCA, Stromme Foundation, Etela Tapiola High School] for their financial as well technical support which enabled us to execute our programme and plan for the right causes. We also would like to appreciate the partnership and support of CARE Nepal, World Vision and IFES through our District Chapters. The partnership with PAF, DDCs and DEO were also fundamental to execute our strategy and commitment for promoting collaboration and cooperation with government agencies and be a complementary part of national development initiatives of the government. The short-term joint initiatives and partnership of NNDSWO with UNICEF and IDSN were also instrumental for pushing the causes ahead. I appreciate comments and feedbacks from our partners and well wishers to bring further improvements in our future initiatives. Finally, I would like to recognize the relentless efforts and commitments of staff colleagues and guiding support of Executive Board which has made our achievements possible. Thank You Mohan Singh Sunar Executive Director

5 Contents 1. ADVOCACY and AWARENESS 9 2. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMME HEALTH and SANITATION LIVELIHOOD and ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH and PUBLICATION Financial District Presidents District Office Staff Central Office Staff 56

6 Timeline Upto 1982 Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organisation (NNDSWO) became a voice of Dalits as the first registered Dalit organization in Nepal. Extended its organizational district chapters in over 60 districts with wide membership. All organisational interventions focused on raising awareness among Dalit communities and combating Caste- Based Discrimination and Untouchability against Dalits. Increased partnership with different donors like Save the Children/US, USAID, Canadian Cooperation, Oxfam, PAC Nepal, UNICEF, Action Aid Nepal, and Plan International Started to advocate for the rights of Dalits in an organised and systematic way. NNDSWO extended its organisational district chapters to over 68 districts. Nepal Children Scholarship Endowment Programme (NCSEP) commenced in 15 districts of Nepal with the support of Save the Children/US and USAID Basic Education for Least Educated (BELE) programme initiated in Jhapa, Chitwan, Kaski and Surkhet Districts. The first Strategic and Operational Plan ( ) of NNDSWO formulated. Dalit Empowerment Programme (DEP) launched with the support of LWF Nepal Advocated for the formation of National Dalit Commission (NDC) jointly with other national Dalit civil society organisations. A series of activities to raise awareness and empower Haliya community conducted Dalit Empowerment and Inclusion Project (DEIP) commenced in Surkhet and Kathmandu. A census survey on socio-economic status of Dalits in six districts (Baitadi, Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Mahottari, Surkhet, and Saptari) conducted with the support of DFID/ESP Dalit Empowerment Project (DEP) is initiated jointly with FEDO and DWO in Banke and Kailali districts Advocacy for Basic Human Rights of Dalits (ABHRD) project implemented in Banke, Bardiya and Kathmandu with the support of EU. Community Enabling Programme (CEP) launched in Surkhet district Mass Media Campaign against Desperate Treatment based on Caste initiated A survey on Haliya community conducted The organisation renamed to Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organisation. Inception phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project commenced in Rupandehi and Udaypur districts with the support of NED Mainstreaming Dalit and Women in Development Process (MDWDP) initiated in, Dailekh, Dolpa, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu districts with the support of Concern Worldwide Capacity Development and Advocacy project initiated in Baitadi, Bajura, Dailekh, Darchula, Jumla and Kalikot districts with the support of DanidaHUGOU

7 2007 Campaign on Haliya issues through different media continued Second phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project commenced in Dang, Gulmi and Siraha districts with the support of NED Dalit Charter developed through Five regional conferences and one national conference Third phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project commenced in Kavre, Khotang, Myagdi, and Rammechhap Districts NNDSWO accredited to participate at Durban Review Conference (20-24 April 2009), Geneva NNDSWO entered into strategic partnership with DanidaHUGOU, Save the Children, and VSO Nepal. Fourth phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project continued in the previous districts NNDSWO affiliated with Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee (HRTMCC) as a member organising committee and member of Human Rights Magna Meet. Increasing Dalit Voices for New Constitutional Responsiveness (IDVNCR) project implemented in Dadeldhura and Dailekh with the support of UNDP Fourth phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project continued Food Facility Project with the support of Dan Church Aid (DCA)/EU launched in Banke and Kailali Defending Human Rights of Dalits in Nepal (DHRD) launched in 10 districts: Baitadi, Bara, Dailekh, Darchula, Dhanusha, Kalikot, Kanchanpur, Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Siraha with the support of FCA. Promoting Quality Education project implemented in Kaski district in the partnership with VSO Nepal funded by EU Fourth phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project continued Defending Human Rights of Dalits in Nepal project continued in Baglung, Bara, Dailekh, Darchula, Dhanusha, Kalikot, Kanchanpur, Kapilbastu, Rautahat and Siraha The pilot phase of Enabling People for Secure and Dignified Life (EPSDL) project with the support of Stromme Foundation commenced in Rautahat District NNDSWO organised Decade of Dalit Rights UN on June 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland Youth Save Project with the support of Save the Children implemented in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Establishing Para-legal Committees Monitoring System at local level started in far western region of Nepal with the support of UNICEF NNDSWO was co-organiser of International Consultation on Caste based discrimination held at Kathmandu organised by IDSN Fifth phase of Promoting Dalit Rights and Political Participation (PDRPP) Project implemented in Dhading, Dolkha and Ramechhap continued Defending Human Rights of Dalits in Nepal project continued in seven districts- Baglung, Dailekh, Dhanusha, Kalikot,, Kanchanpur, Kapilbastu, and Siraha. 2012

8 NNDSWO at a Glance Legal Status Organization Regd. District: Kathmandu Regd. No. & Year: 06/039/040, (1982 AD) SWC Affiliation No. & Year: 32 (1983 AD) PAN No. & Date: , Lalitpur, 2061/04/22 BS Tax Exemption Cert. No.: 777, 2061/06/06 BS USAID DUNS No.: EuropeAid ID number: NP-2007-DQW ADB CMS Regd. No.: Programme Interventions Themes Core Areas of Intervention 1. Advocacy for Human Rights, Non-discrimination and Inclusive Democracy 2. Capacity Building and Community Empowerment 3. Education 4. Livelihood Empowerment Cross-cutting themes and other interventions 5. Health awareness and HIV/AIDS 6. Institutional Development 7. Gender and Social Inclusion Organised Networks and Groups with NNDSWO Donors and Partners [FY 2011/12] District Chapters: 71 (781 members) VDC/Municipality Committees: 710 (6,390 members) District level Advocacy Alliance: 14 (245 members) VDC level Advocacy Alliances: 182 (2,064 members) Self Help Groups: 80 (2,053 members) District Education Networks: 15 Strategic Partners: DanidaHUGOU, Save the Children and VSO Nepal Project Partners Stromme Foundation, NED, FCA, Etela-Tapiola School, Finland, UNICEF, IDSN and IFES Partnership through District Chapters Care Nepal, World Vision, DDCs, DEO, PAF Major Governing Policies and Plans Annual Portfolio of Last Five Years NNDSWO Constitution Fiscal Year Annual Expenditure* ( in NPR) Code of Conduct-2065 Institutional Good Governance Policy-2064 FY 2064/65 (2007/08) 27,002, Financial Administration Regulation-2068 FY 2065/66 (2008/09) 23,473, Personnel Administration regulation FY 2066/67 (2009/10) 34,758, Gender Sensitive Policy-2064 FY 2067/68 (2010/11) 56,407, Advocacy Policy-2064 FY 2011/69 (2011/12) 31,796, Fund Raising Strategy-2064 Note:* The amount mobilized through district chapters has not been IT Policy-2064 included. Strategic and Operational Plan (2009 to 2013) Governing Structures Staff [2011/12] General Assembly Staff Category Female Male Total Central Executive Committee (25 Members) Officer level Secretariat Committee (7 Members) Non-Officer level District Executive Committee/s (11 Members) Volunteers and Interns VDC/Municipality Committee/s (9 Members) Total

9 AWARENESS1 ADVOCACY and Advocacy for human rights, social justice and non-discrimination is a major area of intervention of NNDSWO and is integrated in all its programmes. NNDSWO believes that caste based discrimination and untouchability, an extreme form of discrimination deeply rooted in Nepalese society, is not a problem of the Dalit community alone, rather it is a problem of the whole Nepalese society and humanity. It is the cause of non-development and conflict. NNDSWO Annual n l Report p t 2011/12 1/

10 Key advocacy issues raised in FY 2011/12: Combating caste based discrimination and untouchability; Asserting the rights of Dalits in the new Constitution; Securing space for Dalits in the state restructuring process; Promoting political participation and inclusion of Dalits; Enhancing access of Dalits to local resources and budget; Participation of Dalits in National Census 2011 ; Responsive and accountable government institutions on the issues of Dalits; Mainstreaming Dalit issues into national human rights movement. Advocacy activities of NNDSWO at national and local level are aimed at policy reform, implementation of existing policies, and promoting social inclusion and accountability. Advocacy initiatives at international level are focused on drawing attention of international human rights community and stakeholders on creating pressure to the government for reform and execution of policies in line with international standard of human rights instruments. These activities are mainly organised in coordination and collaboration with likeminded organizations. 1.1 Networking people for united voice [Alliance Building] Formation and mobilisation of District Advocacy Alliance (DAAs): NNDSWO has formed Alliances in 14 programme districts Baitadi, Bajura, Banke, Dailekh, Dang, Darchula, Jumla, Kailali, Kalikot, Kavre, Khotang, Myagdi, Ramechhap, and Sunsari which are regularly engaged in identifying burning issues and advocacy strategies for promoting Dalit rights and nondiscrimination. Dalit civil society leaders, Dalit rights activists, leaders of Dalit sister organisations of different political parties, and journalists are the members of these alliances. Altogether there are 245 members (female 71 and male 174) associated with these alliances. Uniting people at VDC level: NNDSWO has extended its network to different VDCs of 14 districts. These networks have been extended to 182 VDCs from 169 VDCs in 2010/11 and 151 VDCs in 2009/10. The names of these networks differ by programme i.e. VDC level Advocacy Alliances, Right Concern Groups and Pressure Groups. Altogether 2,226 members (female 1,052 and male 1,112) are associated with these alliances Baitadi (14), Banke (14), Bajura (19), Dailekh (15), Dang (10), Darchula (16), Jumla (23), Kailali (12), Kalikot (19), Kavre (5), Khotang (8), Myagdi (5), Ramechhap (5), and Sunsari (17). These alliances have been crucial in advocating and promoting rights, inclusion and access of Dalits to resources as well as community democratisation. These networks regularly hold meetings and discuss about the local issues of Dalit and engage in advocacy and lobbying activities for claiming their rights and entitlement at VDC level linking with district and national initiatives. These groups are mainly engaged in awareness raising, sanitation campaign in Dalit settlements, campaign for enrolment of Dalit children into schools, fund raising and combating caste based discrimination and untouchability. 1.2 Monitoring and tracking of the cases caste based discrimination and untouchability and justice initiative for the victims Collection of Cases: Promoting fundamental human rights and social justice is one of major objectives of NNDSWO. Since 2010, NNDSWO has been monitoring cases of caste based discrimination and untouchability with human rights perspective. In the fiscal year 2068/69 (17 July 2012 to 15 July 2012), 78 cases were received from across the country. The reported cases are related to the violation of human rights of Dalit i.e. caste based discrimination and untouchability, abuse, inter-caste marriage and social boycott, battering, murder, polygamy, accuse of theft and mistreatment. The cases are monitored and tracked by mobilising human rights defenders, District Executive Committee members and VDC level networks of the organisations. This year, NNDSWO provided support to the victims of caste based discrimination and untouchability in a total of 60 cases [out of 78] through formal and informal procedures. Out of them 46 cases were reported to police, 10 cases were settled at community level and three cases were settled at NNDSWO district office by the facilitation of the organisation and one case has been filed in the District Court. Access to Justice: Out of the total 48 cases reported to the police, 12 cases were registered as FIR in respective District Police Offices; and 29 cases were settled at Police Offices through mediation. The remaining 5 cases 10

11 were dismissed due to lack of evidence and/or victim s reluctance to pursue the case. Cases in the Court and Verdicts: During the period, District Courts gave their verdict on five cases. In 4 cases the court verdicts were in favour of the victim [Dalit]. District courts gave their verdicts in four cases Bindu Shahi and others vs. Government of Nepal, Dailekh, Arjun Subedi vs. Maya Nepali, Baglung and Laxmi Yadav vs. Government of Nepal, Dhanusa. In the case of Bindu Shahi and others vs. Government of Nepal, the murder of Sete Damai in the case inter-caste marriage of his son with non-dalit Girl, the District Court Dailekh gave its verdict on 12 June 2012 in favour of the victims. Among the nine accused persons, 3 have been sentenced for 20 years imprisonment, 2 for 10 years, 3 for 5 years and one for two and half years. Considering involvement and age factor, different punishments have been sentenced to the offenders. In the case of Arjun Subedi vs. Maya Nepali, after getting love marriage, the boy Arjun left the girl Maya once he knew her caste. Finally she filed a case in District Court Baglung as a case of caste based discrimination with support of NNDSWO. The Court gave its verdict in favour of Maya Nepali on 13 March The Court issued 2500 rupees fine and 1,500 rupees alimony to Maya Nepali from Arjun Subedi every month. Laxmi Yadav vs. Government of Nepal, Mamta Kumari Mandal Rape case, the perpetrator was sentenced for 5 years imprisonment by Dhanusa District Court. In Janam Bahadur Mahat and other vs. Government of Nepal Case, accused persons were released by the decision of Jumla The following cases are in the process of hearing: SN Case Dist. Court Year 1. Arjun Sunar v. Indra Sunar, partition case Baglung Dip Bahadur Shahi and others v. Government of Nepal, murder case of Manbire Kalikot 2011 Sunar 3. Jagadish Tiwari and others v. Government of Nepal, murder case of Sitaram Pasi Kapilbastu Dhana Bahadur and other v. Government of Nepal murder case of Narayan Wode Kanchanpur Kala B.K. v. Tirtha Bahadur Kumal, case of love marriage and abandoned in the case of caste Kathmandu

12 District Court because of lack of strong evidence against the accused persons. The court has considered the case as an accident. 1.3 Awareness on human rights and legal provisions Raising awareness in the community about the rights and entitlements is an integral part of human rights education of NNDSWO. This year a total of 58 interactive sessions on human rights education were conducted focusing on the provisions of newly passed bill on Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act, These sessions were conducted in 28 VDCs of Baglung, Dailekh, Dhanusha, Kalikot, Kanchanpur, Kapilvastu, and Siraha districts under Defending Human Rights of Dalit in Nepal project. In the communities where the cases of caste based discrimination and untouchability were received, initiatives were made by the human rights defenders and activists in the district for the justice of the victims and ending discrimination from society. Through these sessions, a total of 2712 (Male 1500 and Female 1212) human rights defenders of the community have been oriented and networked with district level networks. 1.4 Marking of national and international days In order to sensitise wider society and put pressure on decision makers to take special measures to address the caste based discrimination and untouchability practices as the issue of human rights violation, NNDSWO marks national and international days every year. The 63 rd International Human Rights Day (10 Dec. 2011), 46 th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 st March 2011), International Women Day (8 th March 2011), and Uuntouchability Free Nation declaration day (21 st Jestha) were marked jointly with other likeminded organisations at both district and central level. A brief of the events are as follows: 63 rd International Human Rights Day: NNDSWO district chapters Baitadi, Banke, Dailekh, Dang, Darchula, Jumla, Kailali, Kalikot, Kavre, Khotang, Myagdi, Ramechhap, and Sunsari marked the Day in coordination and collaboration with Dalit civil society organisations and human rights organisations by organising different programmes i.e. peace rally, interaction programme on different themes of Dalit rights and human rights. In Ramechhap, NNDSWO District Chapter marked the Day in coordination with other human rights organisations by organising a peace rally, interaction and co-feast. A peace rally with the participation of civil society leaders 12

13 and human rights defenders with placards and banners, chanting slogans, rounded the bazaar. The rally was followed by an interaction programme in which the situation of human rights of Dalit in the district was presented and discussed. During the programme the leaders of different political parties expressed their commitment to make efforts to minimise incidents of human rights violations. By following the interaction, a cofeast programme was organised at Nava Darshan Higher Secondary School of Tilpung VDC, Ramechhap in order to tear down the barriers of caste based discrimination and untouchability and promote peace and harmony in society. In the co-feast, 101 people including 35 Janajati, 14 Newars, 12 Chhetri/Brahan, and 40 Dalit representing CA, INSEC, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, leaders of three major political parties, VDC offices, Sub-Health Centre, school management committee, local club, mother groups and saving and credit groups and local media persons shared a meal. In the programme the participants were also informed about the Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, In Khotang, NNDSWO District Chapter, in coordination with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Sub- Regional Office, District Development Committee and INSEC, organised a peace rally and interaction programme. The leaders, addressing in the programme, said that there is increase in the caste based discrimination and untouchability and domestic violence against women due to lack of awareness. During the rally, an appeal was widely distributed. In Kavre, it was marked by organising a peace rally in coordination with other civil society organisations and an interaction programme jointly organised with INSEC. In Myagdi, NNDSWO District Chapter in coordination with District Women and Children Development Office, INSEC and Women Human Rights Alliance, organised a peace rally and an interaction programme as part of 16 days Campaign on Violence against Women. Similarly, Siraha, Dhanusha, Rautahat, Bara, Kapilbastu, Baglung, Dailekh, Kalikot, Kanchanpur and Darchula organised peace rallies jointly with other human rights organisations in the respective districts. The participants marched the rallies with placards chanting slogans. 47 th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Every year NNDSWO and its networks in coordination with Dalit civil society, political parties sister organisations and human rights organisations marks 21 st March, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with various programmes across the country. This year 2012, the day was commemorated by organising rally, interaction, and sarbat distribution programmes in districts and centre. At district level, on this occasion NNDSWO Dailekh, Dang, Dadeldhura, Jumla, Kavre, Myagdi, Ramechhap, 13

14 Kailali, Khotang, Kalikot, Rautahat and Sunsari organised various programmes like rallies, sarbat distribution, interaction programmes with stakeholders on Anti- Untouchability Act, co-feast programme and distribution of pamphlets. On 21 st March, 2012, NNDSWO District Chapter Dailekh organised a huge programme in Bindabasini VDC of Dailekh with the participation of different political party leaders and government authorities where the VDC was declared untouchability-free VDC. In Rautahat, NNDSWO district chapter marked 21 st March, by organising five interaction programmes in Laxmipur, Sakhuwa Dhamaura, Simara Bhawanipur, Pratapur Paltuwa VDCs and Gaur Municipality of Rautahat district. The forms of caste based discrimination and untouchability are more severe in Terai. Therefore, on the occasion of 21 st March, human rights of Dalits, existing laws and provisions relating to eliminate caste based discrimination and untouchability and human rights were discussed in the interaction. In total, 500 people (423 female 77 male) including political leaders and social leaders, teachers, local to national journalists, different ethnic community (Dalits and non-dalits) participated in the programme. At the end of the programme, Dalit participants prepared Sarwat Pani (Squash of water and sugar) and served it to all attendees. This gave a message that all human being are equal and no one is untouchable in society. At Central Level, NNDSWO in collaboration with Dalit civil society organisations and Dalit sister organisations of different political parties marked the day by organising a mass rally that marched with banners and placards chanting slogans from Bhadrakali and rounded Bhotahiti, Jamal that turned into a conference in the National Academy. More than thousand people including members of Dalit civil society organisations, sister organisations of different political parties, as well as Dalit youths, human rights activists, CA Members and journalists participated in the programme. Top leaders of major political parties Puspa Kamal Dahal Prachanda from UCPN-Maoist, Ramchandra Paudel from Nepali Congress, Jhalanath Khanal from CPN (UML) and C.P. Mainali from CPN (ML) including Constituent Assembly Members addressed to the conference. In the conference, Jeetu Gautam, the President of Nepal Utipidit Jatiya Mukti Samaj presented 20 points agenda of Dalit to be addressed in the new Constitution. Marking 102 nd Women s Day: This year NNDSWO District Chapters Dang and Baitadi marked 102 nd International Women s Day with different programmes like rally, stage drama, speech delivery, and poem competition. A woman from the Dalit community was honoured with her job as wall-painter. These programmes were organised in coordination with other likeminded organisations in the 14

15 district in order to hold concerned authorities and agencies responsible to proactively act on the cases of caste and gender based discrimination in society. The members of District Advocacy Alliances, leaders of different political parties, representatives from District Police Office and community people participated in these programmes. 1.5 Initiatives for asserting rights of Dalits in New Constitution Making Process The year 2011/12 was supposed to be a historic year for Nepal. During the whole year there were of demonstrations for asserting the issues of different marginalised and excluded groups in the new constitution. NNDSWO, being an advocacy organisation, also organised/participated in a series of programmes for creating pressure over political parties and the CA to adequately address the agendas of the Dalit community in the new constitution. Different programmes were held across the country jointly with other organisation or on its own. NNDSWO district chapters Baitadi, Bhaktapur, Dailekh, Dang, Jumla, Kalikot, Kanchanpur, Kapilvastu, Kavre, Myagdi, Rammechhap, Sunsari, and others organised demonstration and mass rally and mass meet for creating pressure and also submitted agendas of Dalit to the CA Chairperson of the constitutional committee and Prime Minister through concerned CDOs. During a peaceful demonstration in Kathmandu, the National President of NNDSWO Bhakta Bishwakarma, Programme Manager Kul Bahadur Bishokarma, Sr. Programme Officer Jayandra Bishwakarma, Assistant Officer Gita Aryal including around 30 other Dalit rights and human rights activists were arrested by the police and released on the same day after office hour on May 11, Advocacy on burning issues at local level NNDSWO as the advocacy organisation consistently organises advocacy initiatives across the country. The following activities and campaigns were organised during the year 2011/12. Interaction and workshops: NNDSWO district chapters Sunsari, Dang, Jumla, Darchula, Kalikot, Baitadi and Dailekh series of interaction on different themes. The topics of the interaction programmes were: Dalits and justice for a fair society Case documentation and access of Dalits in justice, local resources, untouchability free nation and Dalits empowerment, Dalits issues in local level and role of stakeholders for just society, Betterment of the occupation of Dalits, role of 15

16 stakeholders to combat caste based discrimination, Inter-caste marriage and Dalit women, Dalit s empowerment and Dalit rights, Building solidarity for eliminating caste based discrimination and untouchability, Role and participation of Dalits in National Census 2011, Role of teachers-students for eliminating caste based discrimination, Dalit empowerment and access of Dalit community in local resources, Increasing the access of Dalits in local governance and social justice. The programmes were successful to hold duty bearers accountable and promote Dalits participation in and access to local resources including VDC and DDC councils. This has also helped in combating impunity and promote human rights and non-discrimination in society. 1.7 Initiative for increasing participation of Dalits in local governance Participation means sharing power, legitimacy, freedom, responsibilities and accountability. In order to sensitise the concerned authority and increase the participation of Dalits in VDC Council, an interaction programme was organised on Local Governance and People s Participation at headquarters of Kavre, Khotang, Myagdi and Ramechhap districts where VDC secretaries leaders of the major political parties and Dalit rights activists participated. In the programme a paper highlighting the present status of Dalit participation in local governance was presented and discussions were held on how to increase the representation and active participation of Dalits in different programmes. During the programme the VDC secretaries shared about their working experience at local level and challenges faced during the implementation of the programmes. 1.8 Sensitising wider society via local Radio Radio jingles and public service announcements are advocacy tools for social awareness. NNDSWO employs multi-pronged strategies to combat multi-faceted caste based discrimination and untouchability. In order to sensitise wider society about legal provisions and promote human rights of Dalit, radio messages were produced and broadcast through local FM radios. The messages were broadcast more than 509 times in districts Siraha, Danusha, Bara, Rautahat, Kapilvastu, Dailekh, Kalikot, Baglung, Darchula and Kanchanpur. The messages includes discouraging the caste based discrimination and untouchability in society, implementation of related laws and promoting human rights. The messages have encouraged Dalits to report the violation of their human 16

17 rights and proceed for justice, discouraging potential perpetrators. 1.9 Budget advocacy at local level Enhancing access of Dalit and marginalised groups to government resources and services is a continued priority intervention of NNDSWO. The intervention aims at increasing the participation of excluded groups in local budget making and development processes and for improving governance and accountability. To achieve this NNDSWO informs people on governing process, procedures and policies; and mobilise community people for claiming their rights through organised groups like alliances, rights concerned groups, self-help groups, etc. It also facilitates dialogue between the rights holders and duty bearers. During this fiscal year 2068/69, a total of 211 alliances/ networks/groups actively engaged in lobbying and claiming their stakes in local planning and budget process from their respective VDCs/municipalities. These exercises have contributed to increase interaction between service providers and local people and building working relation between stakeholders and promote accountability Lobbying and submissions To put the issues and agendas of the Dalit community with concerned agencies and authorities and create pressure, NNDSWO and its networks organised lobbying visits both at local and central level. At local level, such visits were made to District Education Office, District Administration Office, District Health Office, District Development Committee as well as Village Development Committees by the team comprising of member of DEC and staffs to create pressure for allocating adequate budget for the development of the Dalit community. At national level, a team of CEC and senior staff made lobbying visit to National Dalit Commission and National Human Rights Commission, Office of the Prime Minister, and Ministry of Education. During the lobbying visits, concerned authorities were updated about the current situation of human rights of Dalit and requested to pay due attention towards these issues. In order to draw attention of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a memorandum on current situation of human rights of Dalits was handed over to Hon ble President of NHRC. On the occasion, the Hon ble President expressed his ideas on how NHRC can work with civil society organisations. 17

18 1.11 Collaboration for organising international consultation on Caste based discrimination in Nepal With an aim to enhance international, national, and local engagement to eliminate caste-based discrimination, an International Consultation on Good Practices and Strategies to Eliminate Caste-based Discrimination was organised by IDSN in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 29 November -1 December Within this overall framework the consultation explored: (i) Effective frameworks and institutions for the elimination of caste-based discrimination; (ii) Addressing multiple discrimination against Dalit women; and (iii) Alleviating caste-based discrimination in humanitarian responses. While organising the consultation, NNDSWO, FEDO and DNF worked as co-organisers. NNDSWO worked as the secretariat in Nepal. Multiple forms of discrimination against women were considered as a cross-cutting issue in all themes. In the programme, 150 experts and activists working in the issue of caste based discrimination of 37 countries participated. The consultation made a Joint Declaration and Global Call for Action to Eliminate Caste-Based Discrimination Voter Education Campaign With an objective to ensure the political rights of Dalit and marginalised communities to political rights, NNDSWO, through its district chapters, organised a voter education campaign in 155 VDCs of 9 districts Accham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Doti, Kailali, and Kanchanpur of Far western region with the support of USAID/IFES. Under this campaign door to door visits to Dalit households, 158 street drama performance, distribution of pamphlets, interaction with Dalit, and milking programmes were carried out to encourage for registering their name in voter lists. Through these programmes about 200,000 Dalits were sensitised. As a result, 150,000 Dalits including male and female successfully registered their name in voter lists along with photographs securing their right to vote for upcoming elections. 18

19 DEVELOPMENT2 CAPACITY NNDSWO s thrust of engaging its constituency Dalits, non-dalits and excluded and marginalised community people in debate and discussion about their rights as active citizen is to empower and support them to claim and exercise their rights so that they play a more active role in public life. These empowerment initiatives are focused in creating platforms where they can enhance their critical knowledge, skills and attitude to assert their voices and needs collectively. 1/

20 2.1 Strengthening community structure through self help groups Poor and marginalised people are being economically exploited and politically dominated in the community. To end the vicious poverty cycle, it is vital that those people are empowered for community democratisation. In order to foster social transformation, 80 Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed with the active involvement of poor and marginalised people in four VDCs Laxmipur Doistiya, Simara Bhawanipur, Pratapur Paltuwa, Sakhuwa Dhamaura and one municipality Gaur of Rautahat district. The SHG regularly hold meetings and discuss about a variety of important issues like income generation, community participation, education, domestic violence, etc. In addition, the groups engage in saving and credit schemes and activities for increasing their access to local resources and opportunities, raising awareness in the community on social issues like caste and gender based discrimination, human trafficking, child marriage and dowry system, etc. Currently, 2053 members from Dalit, indigenous and Muslim communities are associated in the groups. By valuing helping self by helping others, members have built leadership skills. All the groups have got enlisted in their respective VDCs. 2.2 Capacity development of human rights defenders at local level To empower Dalit and marginalised community people in order for holding local government agencies, service providers and political parties accountable, NNDSWO has extended its network to VDC level. The VDC level Advocacy Alliances are such platforms that work in coordination with local and district level stakeholders to enhance the access of the Dalit community to VDC budget and local resources and defend human rights of Dalits in the community. These platforms are actively engaged for effectively addressing the causes of their marginalisation and discrimination. In order to equip these district and VDC level group members with critical understanding of the issues and underlying causes of their marginalisation as well as empower them with knowledge on human rights and legal provisions to combat caste based discrimination and impunity in society, a total of 175 (female and male) were trained on Training of Trainers (ToT) on human rights, non-discrimination and justice procedure in seven districts. The participants of ToT were mobilised for running legal classes at VDC level. 20

21 Legal classes on Non-Discrimination and Justice Procedure: The members of VDC level alliances are the frontline human rights activists. They themselves have been facing caste based discrimination and untouchability in their daily life and thus they are both victims and human rights defenders. Therefore, to further equip them with knowledge of legal provisions particularly on the provisions of Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act 2011 and human rights issues, this year the activists were provided with orientation sessions. Altogether, 1,435 (Female 549 and Male 886) community people of Siraha, Dhanusa, Bara, Rautahat, Kapilvastu, Dailekh, Kalikot, Kanchanpur, Baglung and Darchula districts participated in legal classes on non-discrimination and justice procedure focusing on the Act. These programmes have encouraged people to take initiatives for combating caste based discrimination and untouchability and impunity in the changing sociopolitical context of the country. Training on Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation Skills: Since 2010, NNDSWO has been monitoring the cases of caste based discrimination and untouchability with human rights perspective in a systematic way. For this, the organisation has mobilised human rights defenders in the districts. In order to enhance the knowledge and skills of staff and board members on monitoring and documentation of human rights abuses and violations on the issues relating to caste-based discrimination and untouchability, NNDSWO organised a-five-day training on Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation Skills to Defenders/ Activists in Kathmandu from 21 to 25 September The training focused on the principles of human rights, fact finding, reporting, documentation of human rights abuses and violations and human rights instruments and national legislations relating to the caste based discrimination and untouchability issues. A refresher training was organised for them on March 2011 where 26 (female 6 and 20) of seven districts attended. 2.3 Initiative for behavioural change Dalits of Nepal have been facing multifaceted discrimination in society. Many so called non-dalits still don t accept water and other cooked edible items from the hands of Dalits. Bad habits of Dalits such as too much alcohol, carelessness on sanitation and such which present them as uncivilised in society that has contributed, to some extent, for exclusion as so called cause. In one hand Dalits need to improve their behaviour and non-dalits should be sensitised on the other. Thus, NNDSWO district chapter Sunsari has taken an initiative for Behavioural Change. For this, the chapter organised a series of dialogue and interaction with community people in Dalit settlements. Such Behavioural Change interactive 21

22 Changes in the Musahari Tole through Behavioural Change Initiative There are 175 households of Musahar, a very deprived caste within Dalit community, in ward 1 and 2 of Amahibelha VDC of Sunsari district. They have been living there for 30 year, but are landless. They earn for living by working for local landlords. There is only one person [man] who has completed S.L.C. These Musahars used to drink too much alcohol and quarrel each other. They also used to quarrel and beat their wives. In 2010, NNDSWO District Chapter Sunsari formed a VDC level Advocacy Alliance through all-party consensus. The alliance members were invited to attend different workshops and meetings in the district. In course, they were consulted on how to change their society. By considering the situation and their feedbacks, the District Chapter run interactive sessions on Behavioural Change in Musahari Tole in September 2011 where most of the members of the tole participated. In the sessions, the subjects included were: (i) Improving conversation talking politely and respecting each other; (ii) Improving sanitation and hygiene, avoiding alcohol, focusing on children s education; (iii) Improving financial condition promoting saving habit of self and family members, being economic; (iv) Improving culture celebrating festivals in a good manner. The initative has been successful in changing the Musahari tole. After the session, the women are united against domestic violence. Satarnidevi Musahar, a member of the community, says, After the sessions, we all women unanimously decided that whoever comes drunk, he will be made public that will be an insult for him. Now days, no one gets drunk and beat his wife like before. Through a series of interactions in different time and occasions, a significant change can be observed in the Musahari tole. Remembering the previous situation, Chanodevi Musahar, says, Before, our household area and even children used to remain dirty, but now we keep our children and yard area clean. We also save some money in Khutruke (piggy bag). Men and women both are empowered now. In conflicts, they settle themselves through dialogue but before, they use to invite local landlords to settle their cases of conflict. In the village, there is about 40 bigaha unregistered land. In collaboration with other landless, the Musahars demonstrated at District Administration Office demanding land registration certificate. Now they have made a pond in about one and a half bigaha of land with the support of Plan Nepal and growing fish of worth Rs. 50,000. Bhikhana Musahar says, Before, our children used to play in the dirt, now, we do send our children to school and we also have started regularly save money by controlling expenses. sessions have been organised in 11 VDCs Kaptangunj, Sahebganj, Dewangunj, Rajgunj Sinuwari, Haripur, Bhokraha, Madhuban, Madhyaharsahi, Amahibelha, Gautampur, Laukahi of Sunsari district. Participants in the interaction discussed about sanitation, good food habit, mutual respect, value of time and avoiding from unnecessary expenditure. 2.5 Internship program NNDSWO has been providing internship opportunities to those fresh graduates of Dalit youths who have completed 12 years of formal education. The opportunity is provided from few months to one year s period. During the period the interns acquire knowledge and experience of their relevant field i.e. advocacy, managing finance. This year 4 youths (Female 2 and Male 3) completed internship one each at district offices of Dailekh, Sunsari, Kalikot and Jumla. Similarly, one girl [non-dalit] completed internship at Central Office. 2.4 Interactive sessions on Anti- Discrimination Act 2011 The Government of Nepal in different times has made some initiatives for ending caste based discrimination and untouchability from society. The enactment of the Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2011 stands out as a substantial initiative among others. However, the Dalit community 22

23 is not aware of the policy provision while non-dalits do not easily change their attitudes and behaviours towards Dalits as caste based untouchability is deep rooted in society. Therefore, NNDSWO has been doing a series of interactive sessions in the communities. This year, such interactive sessions were held in 51 VDCs of Myagdi, Ramechhap, Khotang, Kavre, Siraha, Dhanusa, Rautahat, Bara, Kapilbastu, Baglung, Dailekh, Kalikot, Kanchanpur and Darchula districts where a total of 2197 (Female 1212 and Male 985) people participated. 2.6 Leadership development training to local leaders Leaders and rights activists at the community level need to lead every aspect of the social activities; however, they rarely get opportunities to learn about how to effectively present as a leader. Therefore, in order to facilitate those leaders particularly the member of Rights Concern Groups, local intellectuals and Dalit rights activists and leaders at VDC to acquire good leadership and advocacy skills, a-two-day Leadership Development Training was organised in all PDRPP districts Kavre, Khotang, Myagdi and Ramechhap. The trainings were focussed on leadership skills, human rights, local development planning process and participation of Dalits, advocacy skills and importance of political participation. A total of 148 (Female 57 and Male 91) such leaders participated in the trainings. 2.7 RtI and Good Governance workshop at community level Government of Nepal has enacted different plans and policies to promote good governance and bring the marginalised and excluded community groups into development mainstream. However, those marginalised and excluded community groups are not aware of these policy provisions, local planning process, allocated budget, use of local resources, participation on decision making process, inclusion of minority and excluded groups, transparency and so on. And the government structures and agencies do not follow the due process. Therefore, to sensitise community people on their rights and responsibility, a Right to Information (RtI) and Good Governance Workshop was organized at Sakhuwa Dhamaura VDC of Rautahat district on 30 Dec A total of 43 (Female 19 and Male 24) people including the member of SHG, political leaders, teachers, representatives of local service providers actively participated in the programme. Issues like VDC budget, planning process, health and education facilities at local level and other were raised by the participants and 23

24 discussed during the programme. The special guests of programme made their remarks for the support to Dalits, poor and marginalised people in order to bring them in the development mainstream. 2.8 Training on Enterprise Development to Social Mobilizer To collectively fight against poverty and inspire the poor people to earn a better livelihood, NNDSWO has formed and mobilised 80 SHG in four VDCs and one municipality of Rautahat district under EPSDL. Initiating micro enterprise and IGAs are some components for increasing income and improving livelihood of the community. For this, Social Mobilisers are the key facilitators who provide guidance to SHGs. Therefore, different capacity development opportunities are provided to Social Mobilisers. A threeday long two trainings on Enterprise Development was organised for 8 Social Mobilisers and two field staffs in Rautahat. The training content includes basic concepts of enterprise development, selection of participants and how to provide regular guidance to community members who run the small enterprises. 2.9 ToT to Animators Animators are the core facilitators of Samvad Kendras. Under the EPSDL, NNDSWO has formed 30 Samvad Kendra in four VDCs and one municipality where 575 adolescent girls have been participating. Animators facilitate dialogue through a participatory approach and stimulate a learning environment. To enhance the capacity of 30 animators in four different modules of Samvad Manual, a ToT was provided on the 9 steps (1. Creation of codes through drama, drawing and painting, 2. Identification of impact or effects caused by the problem, 3. Relate code with real life, 4. Identification of the root cause of problem, 5. Analysis of problem, 6. Possible alternatives of problem solving, 7. Commitment plan, 8. Sharing of knowledge related to the issues, and 9. Review and monitoring) of learning based on the Brazilian educationalist Paulo Freire in Rautahat and Hetauda. 24

25 PROGRAMME3 EDUCATION Education is a key to explore full potentials of life. Level of educational attainment determines the quality of life. The Dalit community is far behind in every field due to the lack of education. To increase the access of Dalits to education, NNDSWO provides scholarship, conducts empowerment classes and advocates for ensuring free education at all level to Dalits. 25

26 3.1 Samvad Kendra: a platform for adolescent empowerment Near to one in five girls aged in Rautahat district are either already mother or pregnant with their first child. In order to empower adolescents on such individual and social issues, 30 Samvad Kendras (dialogue centres) have been formed in four VDCs Laxmipur Doistiya, Simara Bhawanipur, Pratapur Paltuwa, Sakhuwa Dhamaura and Gaur Municipality of Rautahat district. Samvad Kendra is a platform where girls acquire knowledge and life management skills like personal hygiene, prevention of child marriage, human trafficking, leadership development, income generation and self employment through interactive sessions facilitated by Animators - called as Didi. The Animators while facilitation follow a manual that consists of 9 steps on Participatory Reflection and Action originally developed by Paulo Freire (Brazilian educationalist). There are 575 adolescent girls participating in these centres in 2011/12. By acquiring knowledge, they have improved their personal hygiene, sanitation and also engaged in income generation and micro enterprises activities. The participating girls are now able to present and introduce themselves with confidence in front of new people. They have no hesitation to discuss about social and contentious issues including sexual and social violence. They have convinced their families to stopping discriminatory practices at their home. Samvad Support Team (SSTs): In order to provide regular guidance and support to Samvad Kendra, 30 SSTs have been formed with the involvement of their parents and guardians. The SSTs have been providing logistic support and facilitate for a better learning environment by coordinating with parents for their essential support and cooperation to Samvad Kendras and adolescent girls. Adolescents enrolled in Schools: As about 95 percent girls participating in Samvad Kendras were found illiterate, they were provided with not only learn life skills educationa but also literacy classes. While the illiterate adolescent girls learnt to read and write and also realised about the importance of education, a total of 31 girls of 5 Samvad Kendras got enrolled in school. 3.2 Community Managed Coaching Centres [CMCC] Illiteracy, school dropouts and low performance is a widespread problem particularly in Dalit and other marginalised communities of EPSDL project area in Rautahat. Even those who are enrolled in school have low performance and high possibility of dropouts. Parents and guardians are not aware of about the value of education and educating their children. NNDSWO, under the EPSDL project, to provide extra support to school going children, 25 CMCCs have been established in Laxmipur Doistiya, Simara Bhawanipur, Pratapur Paltuwa, Sakhuwa Dhamaura and Gaur Municipality of Rautahat district. 26

27 The CMCCs provide after school classes where facilitators provide support to children for doing their homework, individually and in the group. These facilitators are role models from the same community who performed very well during their secondary education and are committed to help community children too. In addition, facilitators visit parents and guardians to make them aware of and motivate for regularly sending their children to school. Altogether, 500 needy, poor and deprived children who were not going to school or performing poorly are participating in these classes. As a result most of the school going children have improved their performance while 52 children that were previously not enrolled in school are now going to school regularly. 3.3 Scholarship Distribution This year, altogether 556 students (including 347 girls) of 309 schools (4 primary, 31 lower secondary, and 274 secondary) of 15 districts received scholarship support. SN Level Girls Boys Total 1 Orphan Basic (Class 1 to 8) Secondary (9 & 10) Higher Education (+2) 16* 10* 26 Total *Including one time support [Total 17 students (10 girls and 7 boys) in 10+2 level] Out of them, 48 were orphans (23 girls). The scholarships were distributed by organizing scholarship distribution ceremonies and cluster wise visits. 3.4 New Modality of NCSEP Nepal Children s Scholarship Endowment Programme [NCSEP] is a pioneer initiative and first programme targeted to educating Dalit and vulnerable children in Nepal. This programme was initiated 20 years back in 1992 by NNDSWO in partnership with Save the Children with the financial support of USAID. The prime objective of this programme was/is to increase the access of poor, Dalit, marginalised and orphan children to education and help them complete school level education. NCSEP has been implemented in 15 districts namely Jhapa, Dhankuta, Saptari, Udayapur, Rupandehi, Bhaktapur, Nuwakot, Chitwan, Kaski, Parbat, Dang, Surkhet, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Despite the very effort to enhance and improve educational status of Dalit and marginalised children, still there are problems in educating those children. The problem of educating Dalit and vulnerable children does not only rely solely on the children. It is directly linked with the economic status of their family, values and perception of their families towards educating them, geography, social values and attitudes where they live and more particularly the policy of the state. As NCSEP has completed 20 years in the current 27

28 implementing districts. Therefore, New Modality of NCSEP has been developed by organising series of workshops. The new modality has defined intervention lines of NCSEP as follows: Children : Scholarship support package for Dalit and vulnerable children Family : Creating enabling family environment Community : Changing values and attitudes Policy level : Advocacy for influencing educational policy Organisational level : Capacity building and sustainability 3.5 Performance of Scholarship Recipients In 2068, a total of 530 scholarship recipients appeared in the final annual exam from basic to secondary level. Of them, 495 students passed their final exam. Similarly, a total of 221 students appeared in the Test Exam of Out of them 220 students (including 155 girls) passed the exam. One student did not appear in the test exam. Likewise, altogether 220 students (including 150 girls) appeared in the SLC exam Out of them, 137 students (including 92 girls) passed the exam which is 62 percent. While analysing the reasons behind the low percentage of the result, NCSEP scholarship recipients belong to very poor Dalit community that is fairly disadvantaged group and all these students study in the government schools. Scholarship alone is not enough to fulfil their necessity. Students face many problems including health and hand to mouth. Beside the household core, the students, some time, also go to work with their parents for earning to solve their family need. Along others, these can be attributed for the low performance in SLC. 3.6 Government scholarship monitoring by District Education Network District Education Networks (DEN) formed in 15 NCSEP districts work as the watch dog for educational issues particularly related with Dalit and marginalised community in the district. This year, the DEN monitored 289 government schools to acquire information and investigate about the fair distribution of the government scholarship. There is a provision of government scholarship of providing NRs. 400 each Dalit students and girls from class 1 to 8 and NRs. 500 for class 9 and 10 students per year. The monitoring has revealed that most of the schools have not provided the scholarships as provisioned, instead the schools use the amount in other headings i.e. for the salary of teachers. As the DEN with the initiation of NNDSWO district chapter, Kanchanpur, monitored three schools, the monitoring team found some cases of misuse of scholarship funds. The schools distributed the scholarship after making the case public. In Nuwakot, DEN monitored eight government schools. Seven out of eight schools were found of not distributing the scholarship. These facts were disclosed by organizing press conference. After advocacy, those schools distributed government scholarship. While monitoring, District Chapter Kaski found a school that did not provide scholarship to students but made expenses for the salary of the teachers. During monitoring, 28

29 Rajendra: A Role Model Family condition: Rajendra B.K., 22, lives in Bharatpur Municipality Ward No. 12 of Chitwan district. His father Buddhi Bahadur B.K., 50, and mother Balmaya B.K., 45, both are illiterate. He has one brother and a sister. All the family members are depended on Rajendra. He is teaching Science in Shree Mohan Secondary School, from where he passed his S.L.C. Though he is a lower secondary level teacher he is teaching to secondary level too. How he received scholarship?: Rajendra remembers when he was in class six. One day his science teacher asked him to come in office. There were familiar faces except the then District Chairperson of NNDSWO of Chitwan, Prem Kumar Bishwakarma. Rajendra was very poor and at the same time first in his class. Then, he was informed that he will be provided with NCSEP scholarship up to S.L.C level considering his outstanding performance and financial condition. Education: The scholarship heightened his morale. He secured first division in the SLC exam It was an excellent result of Shree Bharatpur Secondary School. Similarly, he passed 10+2 in Science with first division from Chitwan Science College for which he was also provided NCSEP. While teaching, he continued his Bachelor in Science. He says, I am owed to NNDSWO and Save the Children for their parental support. It s a matter of great honor. I have been teaching in the same school where I once used to study and receive scholarship. Discrimination faced: Once Rajendra went to a school (did not mention name of school) to get result of class 3 and 5 through District Education Office (DEO). After a brief introduction, a group of teachers started taking lunch together. He served sausage for chaumin. One of the teachers was not familiar with the caste of V.K. She asked the caste and he replied V.K. means Bishwokarma. Then, her face blushed. She did not have chaumin but she just stirred it with spoon. She just left it and pretended she got stomach pain. He says, This is an unfortunate that teacher who claims themselves as a change agent, discriminate Dalit. How can we hope from others? He has faced so many incidents even after being a teacher. What would be the situation of Dalit students in the school if Dalit teachers are treated in this manner? Rajendra says, Just because of big homes, pitched road and some good works in favour of Dalit can t solve the problems. Dalits are not untouchables. They are equal and should be treated equally. I request to all the teachers and leaders of the society not to discriminate Dalits. 29

30 teachers realised it and distributed scholarship. In Kailali, a school was found of not distributing scholarship and promised to distribute while monitoring. Similarly, the monitoring team found a school distributed per students 350 rupees instead of 500 per month. After the monitoring visit, the schools distributed the remaining amount to the students. 3.7 Joint Monitoring visit by Save the Children and NNDSWO Central Office Joint monitoring by representatives of NNDSWO and donor/partners is a regular process for result oriented implementation and management of the programme. A team of five members Hari Doongol, Dirgha Narayan Shrestha, and Dev Bahadur Ale from Save the Children, and Bimala Nepali and Prashant Kumar B.K. of NNDSWO, visited Nuwakot district on 19 th June The team monitored initiatives and impacts under NCSEP in the district including documentation and monitoring process of government scholarships. The team also interacted with students about their performance and condition by visiting their schools and homes. 3.8 Higher Education Support to Dalit Students This year, with the initiation of NNDSWO centre, district chapters and networks, altogether 442 students (183 girls) got HSEB scholarship by facilitating for the distribution of around 1300 forms to the Dalit students. Likewise, NNDSWO district chapter Nuwakot requested Bidur Municipality to provide scholarship to poor Dalit students so that SLC appearing students could prepare for the S.L.C exam. As a result, 24 students were provided one time support with Rs from Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot. 3.9 Enrolment Campaign NNDSWO has been campaigning to enhance the access of Dalits and marginalized community children to education and bring out of school children into school. As a result, altogether 29 Dalit out of school children in Jhapa district were enrolled in school. Similarly, 3 out of school children were enrolled in Kaski through school enrolment campaigns Fundraising by District Chapters NCSEP has completed 20 years of its implementation in the current programme districts. Therefore, the respective disctrict chapters have been encouraged for fundraising at local level so that they can continue such programme in the future too. As a result the following district chapters have raised funds as follows: 30

31 Nuwakot district chapter Rs. 50,000 Dang district chapter raised Rs. 47,500 District chapter Chitwan Rs. 114,730 District chapter Kanchanpur organised a programme where people from different professions attended. They were requested to extend their support to needy children in the district. As a result, the following children got support for their education: 1. Dilaram Tamata, DEC Chairperson of NNDSWO Kanchanpur supported to Sarashwoti Sarki 2. Rani Bibas, the Editor of Abhiyan Daily, supported to Pushpa Owd 3. Prem Jairu, the Supervisor of NNDSWO, Kanchanpur, support to Roshan Luhar 4. Lila Nepali, Human Rights Defender of NNDSWO Kailali supported to Puja Nepali In the programme, other participants also made commitment to provide support to needy children in the coming academic sessions by looking at the profile of needy children. years. Under the project, NNDSWO, through its District Chapter Kaski, has been working with 12 schools. In the year 2011, in course of working together, 130 needy children were identified and recommended by SMC, teachers, head teacher and Accelerated Learning Class Facilitators. In November 2011, as the dresses and shoes were prepared, they were distributed to 130 (75 girls and 55 boys) by organising programmes at school with the participation of a total of 364 parents and guardians including 110 male and 254 female in these programmes. Similarly, a total of 486 students including 231 girls and 255 boys were provided with stationery (note book, pencil, dot-pen and pencil cutter) by organising a formal programmes at 12 schools with the presence of NNDSWO, VSO, teachers and the Parents on February The stationary distribution has been an effective way for motivating students and parents for sending their children to school Stationery and uniform support to students NNDSWO in partnership with VSO Nepal and with the financial support of European Commission has been implementing a project Promoting quality and inclusive education for out-of-reach children in Nepal for four 31

32 HEALTH 4and SANITATION NNDSWO s efforts for enhancing access of Dalit and marginalised communities to health, water and sanitation is sustained in local partnership through its district chapters. It has integrated promotion and prevention of and sensitisation on common health problems including combating communicable diseases i.e. HIV/AIDS, water, sanitation, and hygiene initiative focuses on safe drinking water, toilet construction support, etc. 32 1/ 12

33 4.1 Open toilet free zone declaration campaign NNDSWO Kailali District Chapter, under Water and Sanitation (WASH) programme, in coordination with and participation of local leaders of different political parties and community people, organised a campaign to declare ward no. 6 Damaura of Malakheti VDC an open toilet free zone for a long time. In that area, NNDSWO has provided support to 223 households for toilet construction and has organised various programmes on health and sensitisation. As a result, with the participation of representatives of DDC, VDC, Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office, Federation of Nepalese Journalist and DEC members of NNDSWO the area has been declared open toilet free zone on September 9, Increasing access of Dalit and poor to Safe Drinking water and Sanitation In order to enhance the access of Dalit and disadvantaged groups to safe drinking water and sanitation and to protect the children from food and water borne diseases, NNDSWO Kailali District Chapter with the support of World Vision International has been implementing WASH programme. The programme has targeted to Dalit and poor community of six VDCs Geta, Malakheti, Sripur, Godawari, Sahajpur and Nigali. Under this programme orientation to Mother Groups on sanitation, trainings on environmental sanitation, installation of drinking water pipe, water tank and tap support to schools and toilet construction support were provided. 4.3 Construction of toilet and promotion of use In order to bring behavioural change and access to hygienic toilet, NNDSWO carried out a social household survey in Godavari, Malakethi, Shreepur and Geta VDCs of Kailali district. The survey recommended to construct toilet in the settlements for to be used in a sharing basis for poor and needy households. The construction of toilet started after signing an agreement between households and NNDSWO District Chapter. The community built toilets in their settlements while they were supported with construction materials. 4.4 Awareness and HIV prevention NNDSWO District Chapter Dadeldhura has been implementing Safe Passage Project (making mobility safe by reducing vulnerability and impact of HIV & AIDS) in partnership with CARE Nepal. Under this, a series of 33

34 My life as a PLHIV, livelihood and my dignity Harina, 35, is a single woman. She is living with HIV in Amargadi Municipality ward no. 8 of Dadeldhura district. She got married at the age of 21. She spent only six years with her husband after their marriage. After her marriage she went to Delhi with her husband. Like many others she also stayed there and gave birth to two children. After six years of marriage, all of a sudden Harina s husband fell sick. After seeing no improvement he was taken to hospital. The doctors at the hospital recommended taking a blood test. The blood test result came and he was diagnosed as HIV positive. On the same night, her husband disappeared from his room. When Harina got her blood tested she was also diagnosed with HIV. Since that day Harina has been living a life of a single woman with HIV, bearing all her pain and suffering on her own. There has not been any information about her husband s death, but Harina says with a faint voice, I believe my husband may have died from AIDS. Being jobless and having two children to feed, she could not survive in Delhi. Fortunately, she sought help from one of her neighbor s in Nepal who used to live in Delhi. He gave her Rs to travel to Nepal. Harina then returned to her own village in Nepal. Only a few years later she disclosed her status. When she came open and shared her story with other people in the community, she started facing discrimination. She says, My own family members blamed me and named me as The AIDS woman. Harina s day-to-day life became miserable. She says, I lived an intolerable and painful life, suffering from discrimination and stigma in my own community. Ultimately, this entire situation made Harina leave her place of birth and went to Kirtipur Bajar, Dadeldhura, but there she did not have money for her treatment and living. After staying a few days there, she got information about the Community Support Group formed under the Safe Passage Project. She saw a light of hope in her life and joined the Group. She participated in PVSE right training, CHBC training, advocacy training and orientations. Through her participation she was able to empower herself and learn about HIV and AIDS, which had become a part of her life. Since Harina had no support for her livelihood, Safe Passage/ ASHA project provided her with NRs 18,000 as a support for the Income Generation. With all the money she started a retail shop. Harina says proudly, I m earning NRs 800 per day from my retail shop. I am managing my food, room rent, school fee and dress for my kids, treatment etc. and I have bought a television, too. Harina has scaled up her business (retail shop) to be worth NRs 40,000. She is very happy for the support and is thankful to the Safe Passage Project. She said, Before getting this opportunity, I was helpless and was always worried about how to send my kids to school, how to do my treatment. Now, I am earning money, have been doing my treatment and have been able to send my kids to school. 34

35 awareness and HIV and AIDS prevention campaign were conducted. From this campaign in this fiscal year, a total of 15,602 people were reached through information on HIV and AIDS and safer sexual practice. Out of these, 14,721 were reached through Drop in Centres (DICs) and 4,013 through Peer Educators (PEs) in community. 4.5 Livelihood support People Living with HIV (PLHIV) NNDSWO Dadeldhura has been supporting to PLHIV families for livelihood and income generation. Before providing such support, a Well-being and Quality of Life assessment was conducted. Based on the findings of the study, a total of 36 PLHIV families were supported with income generation along with additional direct support for livelihood i.e. goat rearing, poultry farming, vegetable farming, etc. 4.6 Condom demonstration sessions In order to educate people about safer sexual practice and prevent from HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease, condom use demonstrations were made in the programme area. A total of 875 events of condom demonstration sessions were held through individual interaction sessions, Migrant Group meetings and DICs in which 3,867 impact populations participated including 1,391 migrants, 1,176 spouses of migrants, 1,043 adolescent girls/youths and others, and 257 transport workers. People have started to collect condom openly after condom demonstration sessions in the community. A total of 21,638 pieces of condoms were distributed to target population through DIC and PEs in the community. 4.7 Treatment, care and support to PLHIV The Community Support Groups (CSGs) formed in different VDCs of Dadeldhura districts provided support to People Living with HIV (PLHIV) for treatment, care and support in the community. This has contributed in reducing stigma and discrimination against PLHIV. A remarkable number of PLHIVs have also been referred to Opportunistic Infection (OI) treatment, CD4 count, and Antiretroviral Treatment (ART). The community home based care (CHBC) volunteers, Outreach workers (ORW) along with CSGs and Project Officers visited 61 PLHIV and 125 family members to sensitise and enhance their knowledge and skills. The CHBC focussed on positive living, confidence building, treatment of OIs, Regular CD4 count and ART intake, and combating against stigma and discrimination in the community. 35

36 LIVELIHOOD and 5ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT NNDSWO believes that without strong livelihood and economic backstopping, social and political empowerment of Dalit and excluded communities remains ineffective and unsustainable. Hence, to avert their continued deprivation in terms of economic backwardness and poverty, NNDSWO has been given its due efforts for linking up livelihood and economic opportunities in its empowerment initiatives. 36 1/12 12

37 5.1 Self Help Groups and Saving Credit Schemes Members of Self Help Groups are extremely poor farmers. Their income is very low and their wage is 5 kg of rice per day [worth Rs. 60] during cultivation season in other seasons they don t get such labour-job too. Lacking entrepreneurship skills, they are unable to save from their income and remain indebted to moneylenders. Good saving and credit habit are essential for steady income and family development. Therefore, saving and credit schemes are a major component of Self Help Groups. NNDSWO, under the EPSDL project, has formed and mobilised 80 SHG. The Group members save around 20 to 50 rupees per month and the group members can take loan from the Group Saving in a low interest rate compared to other moneylenders. The group members take such loan while they want to invest for income generation activities, need to go to the hospital and/or fulfil their basic needs as well. 5.2 Revolving fund for IGA promotion To encourage Self Help Group members to initiate saving and credit schemes, each SHG was provided with NRs 5,000 as a revolving fund. The groups have opened a bank account in the Manakamana Bank, Chandranigahapur and Rastriya Banijya Bank, Gaur to save the revolving fund as well as their own monthly savings. A Revolving Fund Management Guideline has been developed and the group members have been oriented on this to ensure the proper use of the fund. Currently, 10 members are running small enterprises like vegetable farming, grocery shops, and cosmetic shops from taking loans form the group saving. 5.3 Training to Self Help Groups To strengthen the financial management capacity of Self Help Groups, 80 trainings on Saving and Credit Management and Revolving Fund Mobilisation were organised in EPSDL project area. The basic principles of saving and credit, roles and responsibilities of the group members and saving habits including others were the major contents of the training. Altogether 1,177 members of 50 Self Help Groups and 5 Social Mobilisers participated in those trainings. Now, the members have regularly saved their monthly earning while keeping records of their activities and effectively playing their roles and responsibilities. For good management of saving and credit Pass Books, Saving Books, and Cash Books have been provided to all Self Help Groups. A Self Help Group Management Guideline has been provided to all groups that help them manage their saving and credit schemes. 37

38 5.4 Leasehold farming for landless farmers Most of the farmers of Rautahat district, particularly from Dalit and marginalised communities, are poor and landless. To uplift the lives of landless, Self Help Group members identified 25 poor farmers among the groups for pilot leasehold farming. Each farmer has has taken 338 square meters [1 Kattha] of land on lease for mainly off seasonal vegetable farming. In addition, they have received high yielding seeds, fertilisers and regular technical assistance. Similarly, a linkage with District Agriculture Development Office has been establishment for the sustainability of the intervention. To manage leasehold farming activities and increase agricultural productivity, guidance is provided based on the guideline developed. If selected farmers increase their income and farming skills, more farmers will be selected among the Self Help Groups and supported for leasehold farming. 5.5 Rapid Market Assessment and Feasibility Study of IGAs In order to assess the demands of local products in the markets and identify business area in Rautahat district a Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) study was carried out. The RMA has made recommendation to provide training to the adolescents in highly demanded skills areas like tailoring, welding, furniture making and motorbike repairing etc. in order to increase their income through entrepreneurship. Another Micro Enterprise Household Identification and Feasibility study was also conducted in four VDCs Sakhuwa Dhamaura, Simara Bhawanipur, Laxmipur Dostiya, Pratappur Paltuwa and Gaur Municipality of the district. According to the study, there is a high demand of and good options to sell-off seasonal vegetables and livestock like goats, pigs and buffaloes in the local markets in which women and adolescent girls can get engaged. The findings of the studies will be used for future training and support schemes. 38

39 Better earning through enterprenership Sikiliya Devi Raut, 40, lives in Gaur Municipality Ward no. 12 of Rautahat district. She works with her husband as agricultural labourer. They have a daughter and a son who also used to look after cattle for the same landlord. Due to hard labour and low income the family had a problem to run their daily lives. In the same village NNDSWO formed a Self Help Group (SHG) in September 2011 to mobilise local people. When Sikiliya came to know about this, she joined the SHG named Ganga Mahila Bikash Samuha (Ganga Women Development Group) and started to save money in the saving and credit scheme of the group. She also received training about saving and credit management. After 6 months of participation she started to lead the Group and she began to organise group meetings. Then, she took a loan from the Group and bought a horse cart for her husband. Her husband now transports passengers from Gaur in Rautahat to Bairganiya in India. By running the horse cart, he earns NPRs 700 per day. The family is now earning a good living while paying back the loan. Sikiliya s two daughters, Aarti and Nirmala, are participating in Dalit Utthan Kishori [Dalit Adolescent Upliftment Centre]. They are learning about life-skills, personal hygiene, sexual and reproductive health, rights, gender and social violence, etc. They are also learning to read and write in the Samvad Kendra. Then, they and their parents realised about the importance of education. Now they have got enrolled in Grade 5 in Shree Purnewa lower Secondary School Gaur 12, nearby their home. Now, they are planning to open a grocery shop in Gaur Bazaar and dreaming of a better future with an income of multiple sources. 39

40 5.6 Youth Save: Financial Education to children and youth In order to roll out a sustainable, market-responsive saving product for low income youth, YouthSave, a pilot project, has been implemented in Bhaktapur and Kavre districts with the support of Save the Children and in partnership with Bank of Katmandu (BoK) since July The project aims to increase knowledge and skills of children and youth on saving habit through financial education. This year the project has been working with Shree Aadarsha Aazad Higher Secondary School Suryabinayak and Shree Kanya Co-Education Secondary School, Bhaktapur. The project also works with out of school children of the area and Jagriti Child Club, Bhaktapur. The children/youth aged 12 to 18 and/or students of grade 6 to 12 are oriented on financial management through Financial Education sessions. The sessions includes the concept of saving money, why to save money, goal setting of saving, deference between needs and wants, control expenditure, income and expenditure, save money in secure place were discussed through different games, story, group discussion and presentation and brain storming. A total of 862 (Girls 472 and Boys 390) students of 6 to 10 class, working children and Child Club members participated in the workshops. Out of them 116 children have opened saving account in BoK Suryabinayak. Financial Education Workshop Participants 5.7 Performance of street drama Note Bahadur In order to aware community on the issue of saving habit, a street drama Note Bahadur was performed on 5 Nov in Gopali chowk, Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. The drama was performed by Jagriti child club Katunje, Bhaktapur. Total of 161 (Female 55 and Male 106) people observed the drama.this drama conveyed the message of we need to save money for our future. 5.8 Orientation to the teacher and community on saving habit For enhancing support of parents and guardians to children for increasing their saving habit, orientation workshops were organised at school catchment area where YouthSave project has been imlemented. Teachers were also orientated about the financial education workshop module and other activities of Youth Save Project. Children/ Youth Girls Boys Total School children Child Club member Working Children Total

41 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 6 Over the last years, NNDSWO has become stronger and recognised as a leading institution for advocating the rights, inclusion and development of Dalits through its vibrant networks, effective management and good governance practices. For achieving its objectives, NNDSWO still needs to strengthen its organisational structure, systems, process and procedures as well as capacitate human resource for enhanced programme intervention which is an on-going process too. 1/ 12 41

42 6.1 Organisational system, process and procedures The new and comprehensive Financial Administration Regulation (FAR)-2068 came into implementation from this fiscal year. As per the recommendation of JAR 2010/11, an outline of Organisation Operation Regulation has been developed. The detail of the regulation will be developed by widely consulting with members and staffs of the organisation. Other policies of the organisation have been harmonised by removing inconsistencies of different policies. During this period M&E framework has been further refined. The disaggregated data collection system has been promoted. The M&E unit at central office has been reformed comprising of three members. The senior officers and mangers are involved in the Unit. A reporting channel and schedule is regularly communicated to the district staffs. To improve the documentation system and process of district offices, different forms and formats have been produced and oriented to the district staffs accordingly th Annual General Meeting 29 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NNDSWO was held on 5 December The AGM endorsed annual progress report, audit report including estimated income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2067/68, and AWAB 2068/69. Altogether 66 representatives from 40 district chapters of the organisation participated in the AGM. 6.3 Human Resource Management and Development Staffing in FY 2068/69: During this fiscal year, a total of 195 staffs (82 female and 113 male) served NNDSWO. Of them 56 staffs (26 female and 30 male) were hired by district chapters on their own. During the period, 50 new staffs (34 female and 16 male) were hired under different programmes and projects managed by central office. A total of 5 staffs resigned from their position during the year. Human Resource Development: NNDSWO has been giving due priorrity for its human resource development in order for efficient and effective management of its interventions. In this fiscal year, 55 staffs (35 female and 20 male) 7 from central office (female 1 and male 6) and 48 from district offices and 8 board members (3 female and 5 male) from DEC have enhanced their knowledge and skills through different training and exposure opportunities in the areas of ToT on financial education, Master/ToT on Samvad Kendra for Empowering Adolescents, result based management, social audit, RBA and community mobilisation, team building and leadership, financial management and good governance [1 in Denmark], etc. 42

43 6.4 Partnership and Networking NNDSWO has made continued efforts to expand strategic partnership. However, significant achievements could not be achieved. During this fiscal year NNDSWO collaborated and made partnership with UNICEF Nepal to implement the Establishing Paralegal Committees (PLC) Monitoring System at local level. A partnership agreement has been signed between NNDSWO and Save the Children Youth Denmark (SCYDK) in this fiscal year that will open new avenue for mobilising youth volunteers and work for vulnerable children in Nepal. 6.6 Joint Annual Review 2011/12 As a part of the Strategic Partnership, the performance of the organisation is reviewed against its Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWAB) annually by a Joint Annual Review (JAR) team. The JAR team comprises of the representative from partners/donors, representative of NNDSWO and independent consultant. In the year 2011/12, a team of Dr. Bandita Sijapati, an independent consultant and Kul Bahadur Bishokarma, representative of NNDSWO carried out JAR and submitted their final report on July Board and Committees General Assembly of NNDSWO was held as per the constitution which elected Central Executive Committee for Therefore, there were some vacant positions in the CEC. 8 new members have been nominated in the CEC. Of them, 3 members (1 female and 2 male) are from Terai Dalit and 5 from Hill Dalits (2 female and 3 male). As per latest composition of the CEC, there is 30.4% female representation. Secretariat Board, Recruitment Committee, Procurement Committee, Audit Committee, and Organizational Development Committee have also been reformed during this period. 6.7 SWC Monitoring A team led by Sanjaya Kumar Mallik, Assistant Director of Social Welfare Council (SWC), Balkrishna Maharjan and Anita Bishankha, Project Coordinator of NNDSWO, conducted a joint monitoring this fiscal year. The team visited Myagdi, Baglung and Dhanusa districts and gave its report. Monitoring by such agencies are instrumental for ensuring the budget reaches to the target community. 6.8 Motivation letter to members Executives of CEC and senior management of NNDSWO do regularly discuss about the strategy for improving gender equality and social inclusion and for combating 43

44 caste-based discrimination practices within Dalits. As NNDWO has established its district chapters in 71 districts, in order to sensitise all members of the organisation and its constituencies on the issues of Dalit and human rights, a motivation letter by the National President was sent including five points to be considered as working strategies of the organisation in the field. The points include: working for social awareness on Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act 2011; support for victims of caste based discrimination and untouchability cases, take initiative for ending discrimination within the Dalit community; lobby and advocacy for enhancing access to local resources and participation in decision making; coordinate with other agencies and authorities for creating solidarity for the cause. execute the provisions, board and staffs are regularly sensitised. In aggregate there was 48.82% female participation in NNDSWO s programme activities. Gender sensitivity and respect for diversity and inclusion has been a part of staff performance evaluation system of NNDSWO. To see the picture of gender and social inclusion, and monitor the progress, disaggregated data collection format has been developed and disaggregated data has been generated. In order to critically assess the gaps in its current gender policy and collect feedbacks for developing it as a Gender and Social Inclusion Policy a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion workshop was held among the CEC members and central staff in July The revision of gender policy is in process. 6.9 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Workshop As targeted in the StOP, NNDSWO has been giving its due attention to ensure at least 40 percent women s participation in its programme intervention. In order to 44

45 6.10 TA from International Partners Areas of TA received Result Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RB M&E) Financial Management and Good Governance Gender and Social Inclusion Sustainability Planning and Fundraising Result Based Management (RBM) Rights Based Approach (RBA) and Community Mobilization Right to Information and Social Audit Team Building and Leadership Development TA Provided by DanidaHUGOU DanidaHUGOU/ Danish Fellowship Centre (DFC) DanidaHUGOU Save the Children Geneva Global via SF Nepal SF Nepal AIN via Dan Church Aid Stromme Foundation 45

46 Regional Coordination Office District Executive Committee/s 6.11 Organogram of NNDSWO: General Assembly Central Executive Secretariat Board National Chairperson Executive Director Programme District Programme Coordinators/District Programme Managers Sub-Committee Recruitment Committee Procurement Committee Audit Committee Organizational Development Committee Women Development Committee Admin and Finance 46

47 RESEARCH and PUBLICATION 7 NNDSWO believes in evidence based advocacy, therefore it has been conducting various researches and producing reports as well as publishing IEC materials on different themes. These have become effective tools to aware public and policy makers and influence wider stakeholders on the issues of caste based discrimination and untouchability and Dalit rights. 7.1 Lukeko Aawaz: Unheard Voices To bring out the issues and problems of Dalit community at fore and provide information for discourse regarding Dalit rights to wider society, NNDSWO has been publishing Lukeko Aawaj (Unheard Voices) Quarterly Bulletin since As a continuation, this year, a special issue of Lukeko Aawaj has been published. Published copies: Dimensions of discrimination against Dalit: Media Monitoring Report NNDSWO published Media report entitled Jatiya Bhedbhab Ra Media Drishti (Caste based Discrimination and Media perspective) by monitoring the major nine national dailies published during the year 2066 (2009/10) with the main objective of exploring how reflective the major nine national dailies are on the cases of Dalit particularly caste-based discrimination and untouchability. The report reveals that 86 news item were related to physical assault/attack over Dalit community on the issue of their caste based discrimination and untouchability. NNDSWO monitored seven national Nepali dailies published during 2067 as the form of Dimensions of Discriminations against Dalits. The most of the offenders of the reported case are male (82%) and reversely the victims are female (60%). By caste, the most of the offenders are so called upper caste people (83%). Where there is discrimination in the organisations it is the government institutions that stand as high as 45.8% (33/72). The study also reveals that only 35% victims of caste based discrimination attempt to access justice by filing the cases. Out of the cases attempted to file, 90% cases are accepted/registered by the authorities. Moreover, the authorities proceed only 67.86% of registered cases. Published copies:

48 7.3 Calendar 2069 Every year, NNDSWO publishes and disseminates calendar as an advocacy tool to inform wider society about the issues of Dalit in Nepal. Published copies: 1, Human rights situation of Dalits in Nepal 2011 Since 2010, NNDSWO has been monitoring caste based discrimination and untouchability with human rights perspective across the country by establishing a system. Every year it publishes a book by analysing all such cases and incidents. This comprehensive report is a second in its series. The report has classified all collected cases into 5 categories according to its severity and analysed them with human rights prospective comparing with different international human rights instruments. The report is by-lingual (English and Nepali). Published copies: Dalit representation in national politics of Nepal The study entitled Dalit Representation in National Politics of Nepal gives a historical and contemporary overview of Dalit representation in Nepal s political process. Addressing both dimensions of quantity and quality of Dalit representation, it fills an important gap in the existing literature. It analyses the state of proportional representation and mutual relationship of Dalit leadership with the Dalit community. In addition, it analyses the political and institutional space offered by established political parties for Dalit representatives to represent Dalits. These are essential for meaningful representation of Dalits in Nepal, to overcome past injustices in a context of exclusion. Written by Krishna Khanal, Frits Sollewijn Gelpke and Uddhab Pyakurel, the study employs both secondary sources and semi-structured interviews with Dalit as well as non- Dalit political actors and experts. Published copies: Towards the bright future: profile of needy students In order to promote fund-raising at local level as well as sponsorship for needy children in 15 NCSEP programme districts, a brochure Towards the Bright Future: Profile of Needy Students has been published. Published copies: Booklet on Caste based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2011 In order to raise awareness in the community on Caste based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2011, NNDSWO has published it in a booklet form with brief analysis of the act and has disseminated through its district chapters and networks. Published copies: Report on International Consultation on Caste Based Discrimination This is a proceeding of the International Consultation on Good Practices and Strategies to Eliminate Caste-based Discrimination organised by IDSN in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 29 November -1 December NNDSWO, DNF, and FEDO were co-organisers whereas NNDSWO worked as Secretariat. It has been published in Nepali which was published by IDSN in English. Published copy:

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