ADWAN has worked with Dalit women in Fujel and sorroundign areas for years and now has 17 groups in that area. In response to the violence, some of them decided to act became understands social action. Group organized a number of women, who, dressed in their finest lined up in front of the temple. Prepared for the worst, but with quiet determination, the women entered the temple one by one bearing their gifts of flowers and tikka powder. To everyone’s surprise, no-one lifted a hand, as they completed their worship and quietly went home. Since that spring day, Dalits worship in the Fujel temple along with everyone else. This is because it is generally known, that these particular women, members of ADWAN groups, are knowledgeable about their rights– as women and as Dalits. The traditionalists, who used violence to preserve the status quo, were quite aware that their actions are illegal. But now, thanks to ADWAN they comply with the law. ADWAN’s women are introduced to concepts of human rights in their early literacy training and through discussions at group meetings. In addition, ADWAN holds community wide workshops where women learn how to lodge a complaint if their rights are violated.

ADWAN held such a workshops through the EU funded project for the women in Fujel and other 5 vdcs. It was a highly visible affair and many non-Dalit community members participated, too. We are proud of the women’s actions that day, and of the entire community for letting the women show them how to live together in harmony. Since that spring day, Dalits worship in the Fujel temple along with everyone else. This is because it is generally known, that these particular women, members of ADWAN groups, are knowledgeable about their rights– as women and as Dalits. The traditionalists, who used violence to preserve the status quo, were quite aware that their actions are illegal. But now, thanks to ADWAN they comply with the law.

ADWAN’s women are introduced to concepts of human rights in their early literacy training and through discussions at group meetings. In addition, ADWAN holds community wide workshops where women learn how to lodge a complaint if their rights are violated. ADWAN held such a workshop for the women in Fujel in 2009 at the local school. It was a highly visible affair and many non-Dalit community members participated, too. We are proud of the women’s actions that day, and of the entire community for letting the women show them how to live together in harmony.