April 06, 2012

National Public Hearing on “Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers and their Children in India” at New Delhi ,28th March 2012

Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan-National Campaign for Dignity and Eradication of Manual Scavenging, has been working intensively for complete eradication of this inhuman practice since 2002.Their key interventions include organizing and capacitating manual scavengers and their children and working towards their holistic development and empowerment by getting out of the practice of manual scavengers. The Abhiyan is working in 50 districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

They continuously advocate this issue at state, national and international level. In this connection, Jan Sahas, secretariat of Rashtriya Garima and a member of NAMHHR, organized a one day public hearing to present an overall scenario of the rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their children in India.(For full report,please read on http://www.dalits.nl/pdf/120328.pdf)

The hearing provided a platform to community members from different states to voice their concerns and problems. About 20 women presented testimonies before a Panel of Jurors. Member of National Alliance for Maternal Health and Human Rights (NAMHHR),Ms. Jashodhara Dasgupta was on the Panel of Jurors.The Jan Sunvai was attended by various stakeholders including activists, members of non-governmental organizations, representatives from Commissions and the media. Ms. Aditi Sood on behalf of NAMHHR secretariat also attended the Jan Sunvai.

As a follow up of this Jan Sunvai, NAMHHR organised a personal meeting with Mr Jairam Ramesh, Hono'ble Minister for Sanitation and Water Supply on 2nd April 2012 in which the matter was taken up at the highest level.

"NAMHHR remains committed to the health rights of the most marginalized women, and will in future study their health related issues more closely."

For further details on the Exclusion and Inclusion of Dalit Community in Education and Health, please read more on http://www.dalits.nl/pdf/ExclusionAndInclusionOfDalitCommunity.pdf