http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Dalit-rights-NGOs-say-more-women-coming-forward/224557/
Dalit rights: NGOs say more women coming forward Tarannum Manjul Posted online: Friday , October 05, 2007 at 12:00:00 Lucknow, October 4 Call it Maya or Metadata effect. With a Dalit woman leading the state, the Dalit population seems to have woken up to their rights. The women helplines in the state have started getting more and more cases from Dalit women, who are reportedly coming up with their smallest problems. According to helplines, the women are not just coming to them with detailed information about their case but are also asking for speedy justice. According to Nai Dishayen, one of the prime helplines in the state which runs with support from the Union ministry of Women and Child Development, since June, the helpline has got at least three to five cases from Dalit women almost every week. Said Pooja Mahesh, Chief Functionary of Nai Dishayen and Counsellor, "The number since June is mind blowing. In fact, a number of women come to us from districts like Sitapur and Hardoi with complaints of molestation, domestic problems and even encroachment on their land." In July, the helpline got 22 cases from Sitapur, Lucknow, Unnao and Hardoi areas. Mahesh added, "They knew that if the culprit is taken to task, they will surely get justice as they know a Dalit woman is heading the state." "Lalti Devi, a widow living in Kasmand block of Sitapur, approached us as her neighbours were threatening to throw her out of her house. We first spoke to the neighbours and told them the punishment in case they continue to harass Devi," said Mahesh. When things got out of hand, the helpline referred the matter to the Sitapur DM. The helpline recently held an open meeting for women in Sitapur, where a number of dalit women reported their cases which were forwarded to the SP and the DM. Said Deepak Agarwal, DM Agra: "We have been getting a lot of cases from the helpline and are trying to help in all possible ways." Another helpline, run by the Rashtriya Mahila Sansthan at River Bank Colony, too has reported that a lot of women are coming forward with their problems. Said Krishna Singh, a counsellor at the state-supported helpline, "The Dalit women come in groups and discuss their problems." The NGO has received 10 cases in July, of which, five were referred to local NGOs, while others were forwarded to DMs for immediate action.
