Objective 3: Promote gender equality and the empowerment of women
Durga Sob42 years old
Married with two
President of the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO), Nepal
Lives in Kathmandu, Nepal
Durga Sob is a Dalit activist, gender advocate and President of the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) of Nepal.Based in Kathmandu, FEDO is present in 40 districts of Nepal. Sob works with government institutions and social services to campaign for the social inclusion of Dalit people. One fifth of Nepal, including Dalit people, fall under the untouchables caste. Dalit men and women both suffer the social discrimination of a lower caste, but feel it in different ways.
“Nepal is a patriarchal culture and Dalit women constantly live in a state of violence and sexual harassment even within marriage. Traditional practices like forced marriage and home confinement during menstruation are widespread, "says Sob.
FEDO works for social equity and fights discrimination, injustice and the practice of untouchability. The organization runs programs to empower women, particularly Dalit women.
Sob says Dalit women suffer social oppression on multiple levels because of untouchability, economic exploitation, illiteracy, low life expectancy, political exclusion, sexual exploitation and slavery, among other serious issues.
“We know the eradication of prejudices will not happen quickly. The caste system in Nepal has been around forever,” Sob says. “We are asking people to think about their actions and the repercussions on marginalized communities.” Headway has been made in the district of Doti where FEDO has made progress with local administrators. Dalit people are now allowed access to the temple, Sob says. “Women are among the most oppressed as they are systematically excluded from society,” says Sob. “That is why
international development efforts must ensure that gender equity is prioritized. Every sector is male dominated here in Nepal, and we can only have change if we emphasize the need for gender equality. It is crucial to continually remember to encourage those women from marginalized groups — who face additional forms of discrimination – to advocate for the respect of their rights,” Sob adds.Sob continues her fight for women and Dalit people. She also participates in post-conflict peace-building in Nepal.
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