Dalit women in India face three-fold oppression based on their gender, caste, and low social class. They experience high rates of violence, including rape and sexual assault, which are often used to assert caste and gender hierarchies. The Centre for Alternative Dalit Media and its founder, Dalit women's leader Ms. Rajni Tilak, have worked for over 20 years to empower Dalit women and shape a national platform to fight discrimination. The organization's national conferences have provided a platform for Dalit women to emerge as leaders rather than passive recipients and reintroduce their agenda to policymakers. The upcoming Third National Conference aims to break the silence around Dalit women's issues and reshape the social contract in the

1. Empowering Dalit Women to uphold Equal Dignity
BACKGROUND:
Even after reservation policy, affirmative action and a constant support of
government machinery towards eradication of discrimination against the Dalits, it is
still not easy being a Dalit. So the volcanic question that erupts is - if being a Dalit is
so difficult, how intricate will it be to live a life of a Dalit woman? Women in any
caste are considered inferior. So how does an inferior among the alleged inferiors
live?
Dalit women in India are considered the Dalits among Dalits and suffer from a three-
fold oppression —
 On account of gender
 On account of their caste
 On account of their class - as they hail from the poorest and most marginalized
communities.
Incidents of violence against Dalit women and the silence that surrounds them can be
gauged by studies that have shown rape against Dalits and tribal’s are among the
highest. Structural violence like caste and communal violence are deep-rooted in our
psyche. It is often used to suppress women. Violence against Dalit women, organised
rape and sexual violence are all such inhuman acts.
Fighting with such strong orthodox prejudices Centre for Alternative Dalit Media
(CADAM), founder of National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR), under
the leadership of Dalit Women leader Ms. Rajni Tilak, succeeded in shaping a National
Platform for Dalit Women. The relentless crusader has been fighting for Dalit women
for more than two decades and has been working for the cause of the most-
oppressed. A grassroots person with her ear to the ground, Ms. Rajni Tilak is well
aware that discrimination is indeed a regular and daily experience for Dalit women.
The National Conference of Dalit Organisation has been a much awaited phenomenon
since its inception in 2001. The Quinquennial Conference is a prescient rallying point
for the promoters and supporters of the Dalit Women Cause. The Third National
Conference would break the shackles of silence and instead of being a passive
receiver of doles, Dalit women would emerge as leaders and activists. The National
Conference of Dalit Organisation will be a journey much travelled and a historical
moment in the life of the Dalit Women. It will re introduce the Dalit agenda prior to
the Government policy makers and Development agencies , prove to be an excellent
forum to re-strengthen the unity between the actors and Organisations working for
Dalit dignity and Rights and also a landmark to reshape the ‘Social Contract’ in the
new Millennium.
Key Focus:

2. 1. Concept of Dalit women empowerment
2. Historical & Sociological dimensions of the issue of Dalit Women
Empowerment
3. Role of education in the Empowerment of Dalit Women
4. Need for Dalit Women Empowerment in modern context
5. Measures for ensuring Dalit women empowerment
6. Hurdles in achieving Dalit women empowerment