Background and Problem Statement

In Bangladesh, over 80 lakh Excluded and Marginalized Community in Bangladesh, including 15 lakh from the Harijon community, continue to face systemic discrimination and social exclusion. These communities are often relegated to low-status, manual labor occupations such as cleaning, autopsy, and fish selling, which perpetuates their marginalization. Known as the “untouchables,” Dalit/Harijon people have been historically oppressed and denied basic human rights, including access to education, healthcare, and employment.

Despite Bangladesh’s constitutional guarantees of equality, Dalit/Harijon communities remain largely excluded from mainstream society. They face severe social stigmas, with no access to public spaces like hotels or restaurants, and are often treated as second-class citizens. Education is another critical issue: although many Dalit/Harijon children attend school, they often drop out due to discrimination and hostile environments. Similarly, the Excluded and Marginalized Community struggles with poor housing conditions, lack of sanitation, and low-paying, insecure jobs.

FAIR has been advocating for the rights of Dalit/Harijon communities and has achieved some progress, such as job and education quotas. However, much work remains to ensure their full inclusion in the development process. This project aims to mainstream the Dalit/Harijon community by establishing their basic human rights in Bangladesh, and addressing their education, employment, housing, and justice needs.

The project aligns with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2, 3, and 5, focusing on universal education, gender equality, and improved maternal health. By empowering Dalit/Harijon communities through education and advocacy, this initiative will help break the cycle of poverty and exclusion, enabling them to claim their rights and dignity.

Through this project, FAIR seeks to create lasting change for Bangladesh’s Dalit/Harijon communities, ensuring they are no longer excluded from the nation’s progress.

Project Goal: To mainstream the Dalit/Harijon community by establishing their basic human rights.

Project objectives:

• Strengthen the BHOP to make effective and vibrant movement by facilitating their initiatives in local and national level;
• To Create demand regarding basic human rights of Dalit community and sensitize different service providers to increase access of community people in different GO/NGO services and resources (Health & Sanitation, Education, Safety Net Programs, Employment Generation Training etc.);
• Sensitize general people to uphold dignity of Dalit community;
• To reduce Violence against Harijon/Dalit women by developing community awareness.

Target group: Dalit community people of Bangladesh

• Direct :9825 (Male 5046 – Female 4779) and
• Indirect: 40000 Harijon/Dalit community people (Approximately).

Project duration: August 2013-December 2016

Working Area: Kushtia, Pabna, Chuadanga, Nator and Rajbari district of Bangladesh.

Development Partnership with: Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)

Project Key Activities and Implementation Strategies

This project is designed to empower the Excluded and Marginalized Community in Bangladesh by addressing critical issues such as education, employment, legal rights, and social inclusion. The key activities and implementation strategies outlined below are essential for achieving the project’s objectives and ensuring meaningful change for the community.

Leadership Development and Capacity Building:

A series of training programs will be organized to build the leadership capacity of selected BHOP leaders in Bangladesh. This includes training on leadership development and communication to enhance their advocacy skills. Additionally, BHOP leaders at the district and central levels will be trained in basic human rights, advocacy and communication. These trainings will foster a generation of empowered leaders who can drive community change.

Organizational Strengthening:

The project will assist the BHOP leaders in mobilizing funds at the district level to support community development activities. This will ensure the sustainability of the organization’s operations. Moreover, quarterly district committee meetings will be held to tackle community issues, ensuring regular follow-up and feedback.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement:

Advocacy campaigns will be organized to raise awareness about Dalit/Harijon rights and ensure their inclusion in government policies. This includes submitting letters and memorandums, organizing meetings with lawmakers, and conducting national, divisional and district-level seminars, workshops, and gatherings with stakeholders to discuss policies impacting Dalit/Harijon communities. All these initiatives aim to create opportunities for Dalit/Harijan issues to be nationally mainstreamed in their job creation, safety-net programs, and access to housing.

Community Empowerment Initiatives:

The project will form and strengthen various civil society and community groups such as Advocacy Groups (AG), Youth Forums (YF), Student Forums (SF), and Women’s Groups (WG) across the project areas. These groups will play an essential role in mobilizing the community, raising awareness about human rights, and promoting gender equality. Furthermore, monthly sessions and workshops on reproductive health, rights awareness, and violence prevention will be conducted.

Access to Services and Resources:

The project will assist Excluded and Marginalized Community members in accessing essential government services and NGO resources, including safety nets, health services, and education support. This includes preparing service applications, assisting with RTI requests, and training community members on their rights and how to access these services.

Celebrating Key International Days:

The project will organize awareness-raising events on key international observance days, including Racial Discrimination Day, World Dignity Day, and International Human Rights Day, to foster greater community engagement and advocacy for Dalit/Harijon rights.

Implementation Strategy

The project will be implemented through close collaboration with National and local BHOP leaders, community groups, and government officials. Project will provide technical assistance to BHOP and community Groups and ensuring that all activities are coordinated effectively. Quarterly meetings, advocacy campaigns, and workshops will be organized to empower the community and strengthen their capacity to claim their rights and services.

By fostering strong community leadership, improving access to key services, and advocating for policy change, this project aims to create lasting change for Dalit communities, helping them to overcome historical marginalization and achieve full participation in Bangladesh’s development.

Project Outcomes and Impact:

1. Government Initiatives for Dalit/Harijon Upliftment: Through BHOP’s advocacy, the Bangladesh Government has taken significant steps to improve the economic and social welfare of Dalit/Harijon communities. Key achievements include the Prime Minister’s directive to relevant ministries to integrate Dalit/Harijon needs into national policies, the Ministry of Social Welfare’s nationwide initiatives, such as scholarships, vocational training, and pensions for Dalit individuals, and the introduction of university admission quotas to ensure greater educational access.
2. Increased Access to Employment and Housing: The government has implemented employment quotas for Dalit/Harijon workers, reserving 80% of cleaner/sweeper positions in government sectors. Additionally, city corporations and municipalities have launched housing projects for Dalit families, addressing issues of overcrowding and substandard living conditions, providing decent housing with necessary amenities.
3. Enhanced Community Participation and Inclusion: Through continued advocacy, Dalit/Harijon communities have been included in the Special Area Development (SAD) program and VGF safety-net initiatives, enabling them to submit local development proposals and ensuring food aid during emergencies. These efforts have contributed to improved socio-economic conditions and greater inclusion of Dalit communities in national development processes.
4. Improved Employment and Economic Status: 500 Harijons gained employment in GO-NGO institutions, while 5000 Dalit/Harijon workers in municipalities and city corporations received salary increases, significantly improving their economic well-being.
5. Increased Access to Government Services and Welfare: 3000 Dalit/Harijon individuals successfully accessed essential services, such as healthcare, education, housing, and safety-net programs across 40 districts, contributing to their social welfare and inclusion. And 4000 people accessed health services, and 3000 Dalit/Harijon were enrolled in safety-net programs for better support during times of need.
6. Education and Community Empowerment: 100% enrollment of Dalit/Harijon children in educational institutions with a 50% reduction in dropout rates in targeted areas, ensuring access to quality education. And 5500 Dalit/Harijon families saw an improvement in their socio-economic status, and 50 community members were included in socio-religious committees, promoting active community participation.

Project Challenges:

1. Social Stigma and Discrimination: Overcoming deep-rooted social stigma and discrimination against Dalit/Harijon communities, which affected their full participation in mainstream society and access to essential services.
2. Systemic Barriers to Services: Addressing systemic barriers in education, employment, and housing, which required sustained advocacy and engagement with government agencies to ensure equal opportunities.
3. Implementation Delays: Challenges in the timely implementation of government policies at the grassroots level, due to bureaucratic delays and lack of resources.
4. Building Community Leadership:The mobilization and capacity building of Dalit/Harijon leaders took time and effort, requiring trust-building and overcoming resistance from within and outside the community.

Despite these challenges, the project successfully advocated for policy changes and improved socio-economic conditions for the Excluded and Marginalized Communities, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts and community empowerment.

Project Lessons Learned and Recommendations:

The Dalit/Harijon empowerment project, led by FAIR and BHOP (Bangladesh Harijon Okkay Parishad), has successfully driven significant social, economic, and policy changes for Dalit communities in Bangladesh. Key lessons learned throughout the project include the importance of sustained advocacy and collaboration with government agencies to achieve meaningful results. Engaging both local and national stakeholders has been crucial in ensuring that Dalit/Harijon issues are addressed at all levels of government, leading to policy changes such as employment quotas, education initiatives, and housing programs.

One major lesson is that community-led advocacy, supported by continuous training and capacity building, empowers Dalit/Harijon leaders to demand their rights effectively. Furthermore, creating inclusive policies—such as university quotas and safety-net programs—has proven essential in increasing access to critical services and improving socio-economic conditions.

Recommendations for future projects include:

1. Expanding awareness campaigns to reach broader communities and eliminate social stigma around Dalit/Harijon issues.

2. Strengthening government partnerships to ensure the sustainability of policies and long-term change for Dalit communities.

3. Increasing focus on economic empowerment programs, including job placement and vocational training, to further elevate the livelihoods of Dalit/Harijon people.

These lessons and recommendations can serve as a roadmap for scaling similar initiatives across the country, ensuring lasting impact and inclusion for marginalized communities.

Call to Action

Join us in empowering Dalit/Harijon communities and advocating for their rights. Your support can help create a more inclusive society with access to education, employment, and social services for all.

Get involved today—whether through donation, volunteering, or spreading the word. Together, we can drive lasting change and build a brighter future for marginalized communities.