Creating a new commentary on Dalit women through the prism of Apan Katha Apan Bunai Chhi Caste

8 Magh 2080

Nepal’s first girl-centered educational institution: the first public programme of Just Futures Pahal [JFP], established under the leadership of Dalit women, was held at Kanya Mandir Secondary School, Nhyaakha, Chhetrapati, Kathmandu. The main theme of the programme, which was held on 27–28 Poush 2080 with the objective of bringing forth the experiences and expressions of Dalit women, was – “Apan Katha Apne Bunai Chhi”: Creating New Narratives of Dalit Women through the Prism of Caste!

At the programme, Dalit women living in Madhesh shared stories of struggles they had seen, experienced, and reflected upon regarding the caste system, gender, and sexuality, and engaged in dialogue and solidarity.

Programme:

• Memoirs, photo stories, and video stories of 16 Dalit women from Madhesh
• Presentations by Du Saraswati and Ashmina Ranjit alongside Madheshi Dalit women
• Dialogue on creating new narratives of Dalit women through the prism of caste

Around 90 intellectuals, teachers, artists, and activists working in various fields from within and outside the country actively participated in this programme. The vibrant creative expressions of Dalit women in Nepal, particularly Dalit women from Madhesh, expressed through written and unwritten forms, inspired us to weave new narratives and dream.

We sincerely thank you for your active participation in the creative expressions and intellectual dialogue programme of Madheshi Dalit women at Kanya Mandir Secondary School, which carries a glorious history in Nepal’s educational sector. We are proud to have had the opportunity to collaborate with you in Apan Katha Apne Bunai Chhi: Creating New Narratives of Dalit Women through the Prism of Caste, an initiative of Just Futures Pahal established by placing the experiences, dreams, and leadership of Dalit women at the centre.

Around 90 intellectuals, teachers, artists, and activists working in various fields at the national and international levels actively participated in this two-day programme. Seeing your active participation in the programme, your responsible and critical comments, the ideas you shared on social media, and the national discourse created through them, our hope has grown that Nepali intellectuals may find a space to rethink knowledge production by Dalit women who are at the bottom of the hierarchical caste structure.

In this context, the creative expressions of Dalit women in Nepal, particularly Dalit women from Madhesh, through memoirs, photo stories, video stories, along with drama and performances, as well as extensive intellectual dialogue, have increased our confidence that they will inspire us to weave new narratives and turn the dreams we have been seeing into reality. The distinctive role you played in this, by providing thought-provoking and meaningful feedback, has strengthened our commitment to expand the Apan Katha Apne Bunai Chhi initiative further and to collaborate with you.

We are very happy to have met you in person after such a long time and to have exchanged thoughts and feelings.

Thank you.

Sarita Pariyar
Founder Chairperson
Just Futures Pahal (JFP)

We are grateful to you for your support:

• Sarita Pariyar Trust Fund
• Darnal Award for Social Justice
• Foundation for a Just Society
• Ford Foundation
• Samata Foundation
• Photo Circle
• Kanya Mandir Secondary School, Nhyaakha, Chhetrapati, Kathmandu.

We are grateful to those who were present at the programme as commentators:

– Dr. Mira Mishra, Department of Gender Studies, Tribhuvan University.

– Laxmi Rumba, Poet/Writer

– Dr. Niti Aryal Khanal, Department of Sociology, Tribhuvan University.

– Kumari Lama, Writer–Critic.

– Suvani Singh, Publisher.

– Kailash Rai, Writer–Researcher.

– Laxmi Basnet, Journalist, The Story Kitchen.

– Anjana Bishankhe, Writer–Leader, CPN Maoist Centre.

– Rojita Adhikari, Journalist, The Guardian.

– Sunayana Arya, Senior Research Fellow, JNU.

– Du Saraswati, Social Justice and Education Activist, Indian Artist.

– Rita Sah, Writer–Activist.

– Kunsang, Writer.

– Sanjukumari Sarbariya, Researcher, Policy Research Institute, Nepal.

– Asmita Badi, Poet–Writer.

– Sita Boudel, Constituent Assembly Member, JFP Advisor.

We are grateful for your support and cooperation:

– Dr. Triratna Manandhar, Historian.

– Ujjwala Maharjan, Poet, Educational Activist, JFP Advisor.

– Khagendra Sangraula, Literary Writer.

– Elina Tamrakar, Architecture, Heritage Activist.

– Nabin Manandhar, Ward Chairperson and Chairperson of the Management Committee, Kanya Mandir Secondary School.

– Kunjana Tamang, Artist.

– Basanta Ranjitkar, Activist, Brihat Nagarik Andolan.

– Shirish Maharjan, Data Analyst, The Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (GIIS).

– Nistha Tripathi, Artist, Event Coordinator.

– Deepa Nepali, Writer–Activist.

– Poonam Mohte, Co-PI, JFI, Samata Foundation.

– Sudeshna Nepal, Samata Foundation.

– Arjun Bishwakarma, Samata Foundation.

– Roshan Pariyar, Samata Foundation.

– Suman Chitrakar, Music Matters.

– Siddhant Pudasaini, Visual Communication Designer.

– Tirthadevi Pujari, Student.

– Yamuna Sah, Student.

– Saroj Mesthar.

– Alka Wagle, Student.

– Sushmita Humagain, Student.

– Ab Ranjitkar, Student.