Confronting Modern Slavery

The problem of modern slavery and slavery-like practices against Dalit women and girls in South Asia is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. Despite the formal abolition of slavery through national legislation and international human rights mechanisms, millions of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) in South Asia continue to face various forms of slavery and exploitation. The deeply ingrained caste system perpetuates cycles of poverty, illiteracy, violence, and vulnerability, making it difficult for Dalits to break free from the chains of slavery. The issue of modern slavery and slavery-like practices against Dalit women and girls is particularly severe in Nepal, where caste-based discrimination remains endemic and is accompanied by patterns of impunity.

Swadhikar’s work with Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung aims to study the underlying causes of discrimination that lead to modern slavery practices against Dalit women and girls in Nepal. The project seeks to address the issue of modern slavery from the perspective of empowerment and development to break the cycles of prejudice and discrimination.