Evidence, a Madurai-based non-governmental organisation organised a one-day interactive session on ‘Path to development of Dalit women’ at Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary here on Saturday. Dalit thinkers and activists addressed the gathering, which saw a good number of women participants.
Kausalya, whose husband was killed in an act of honour killing, said, “Women must take the lead in voicing against atrocities committed against them. The root cause has to be identified and rooted out. Women must be well-informed about social issues. Men should treat women with respect. It must start from the household.
Like the mass protests for jallikattu and against Sterlite, where people participated without prejudice, people must also fight for the cause of Dalit women.
Activist Ponnuthayi of All India Democratic Women’s Association said, “ Dalit students, particularly girl children, are made to wash toilets and tiffin boxes of teachers”. Schools were insensitive in handling such instances. Even the police who were supposed to protect people from such atrocities target the Dalits. Women have to be brave, hit back and fight their case., she said. Advocate Manoj said that Dalit women were taken for granted by the society and though there were laws to protect them, they fail at the implementation level.
A. Kathir, Executive Director, Evidence, said it was women who faced the brunt of caste issues. Dalit women have to be respected by their families. The women need awareness of laws protecting them.