Like Suna, many Dalit women in Martadi are ignorant about their rights, largely due to illiteracy - not to mention the status of those languishing at the remote, impoverished hinterlands.[break]
This disturbing fact was revealed during a program organized by the Dalit Women´s Organization of Bajura to improve women´s access to public services.
“Now I know that a fair sum of budget is annually allocated at the Village Development Committee (VDC) that should be spent in development projects. I am pleasantly surprised to learn that the government actually allots budget for the welfare of Dalit women like us,” said Mahamati Sunar of Budhiganga VDC.
Similar was the response of Kali BK.
“I can´t believe that more than half of the annual budget is pocketed by the corruption and we are deprived of facilities meant for us,” said Kali.
According to Shanti Dhyojali, a local resident, many Dalit people in Martadi have never approached the Village Development Office.
Dalit Women Organization has been organizing such awareness campaign at Martadi, Juagada, Manako and Budiganga VDCs of the district.
Meanwhile, the organization has stated that the budget allocated for Dalit people never reaches most of the VDC offices due to the apathetic approach of the officials.
Binod BK, a social worker, said that most of the VDC secretaries were answerless when asked about the situation.
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