Identity & Inclusion:Building Synergy between

Community Radio &Dalit movement

Linking identity issues& Community Radio in

Bangladesh

AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BRChief Executive Officer

Bangladesh NGOs Network forRadio and Communication

Dalit in Bangladesh Bengali Dalits : Hindu, Christian andMuslim) found across the country

Non-Bengali Dalits: Non-BengaliDalits who previously migrated From India to what was then EastBengal. (1835 to 1850 during the

British colonial period)

Approximately 5.5 million Dalits andpeople from socially excluded communities in Bangladesh

The state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

Constitution of Bangladesh, Article 28(1)

- Allocation fund for Development of Housing - Include in Government Safety Net Program - Include in Governmental Micro Credit Program - Special Seat Reserve 1.0% of University of Dhaka along with other 2

University- ?????????

Government Response in Bangladesh

Problems of Dalit in Bangladesh

- Problem of recognition and constitutional rights of Dalit and excluded communities

- Problems related to employment, housing, health and education

- Dalit women - life and deprivation- Political participation and empowerment

of Dalit and excluded

- Poverty, untouchability and type of discriminations of Dalits and excluded

Role of Community Radio in Dalits and people from socially excluded

Program for Dalits and people from socially excluded communities in Bangladesh to address the 4 Deficits

Deficit of Information – Low awareness on standards, norms, rights & entitlements

Deficit of Participation – Inadequate institutional spaces for Dalit engagement in governance

Deficit of Alternatives – Limited or no options with regard to alternatives (espcially for poor and vulnerable)

Deficit of Accountability – Weak Monitoring & Regulation; Poor grievance redress

Community Radio Response in BangladeshAccess to resources ! Fairer Institutions ! Participation and

engagement ! Enabling Environment

- To build awareness amongst Dalits and excluded communities of their

socio-economic, cultural, and political rights.

- To build public awareness against discrimination based on work and

descent.

- To make policy makers (both government and non-government)

sensitive and responsible to meeting the rights and needs of Dalit and

excluded communities.

- To ensure access of Dalit and excluded communities to development,

basic services and benefits.