A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service



"Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities."

Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia.

For more 2011 feedback click here.

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Partner Campaigns > Dalit Rights in N...

Dalit Rights in Nepal

Photo Credit: Dipendra Paswan
Between 2006 and 2008, Nepal experienced one of the most remarkable peaceful revolutions in modern history. The war ended. The monarch stepped down. Elections were held. The Maoist rebel cheif was elected Prime Minister. An Interim Constitution was drafted. Much of the credit for this breath-taking change went to civil society, which held steadfastly to the principles of non-violent resistance.

But Nepal’s grand transition is far from complete. Centuries of feudalism have created practices and attitudes which will not be easily eradicated. These pages look at caste discrimination against Dalits (also known as “untouchables”). Dalits account for around 20% of Nepal’s population. Officially caste is now outlawed, but in practice it remains deeply embedded in society. As these pages show, Dalits are forced into slavery, denied a fair wage, accused of witchcraft, beaten and even killed for marrying outside their caste.

One of the foremost advocates for Dalit rights is the Jagaran Media Center (JMC), founded by Dalit journalists to increase the presence of Dalit in the media and increase media coverage of caste. Drawing on a network of skilled Dalit reporters around the country, JMC has exposed a series of abusive practices and also supported community campaigns. AP has supported the JMC since 2004. These pages draw from the partnership to profile caste discrimination through the eyes of those affected, and the JMC’s response.
 
2010 - A Decisive Year for Dalits in Nepal

A new year message from Suvash Darnal, founder of the Jagaran Media Center, states that intensive lobbing will be needed to ensure that the new Nepali Constitution contains effective protections against caste discrimination.






To be a Dalit in Nepal: Watch the video by former Peace Fellow Jes Therkelsen

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