It is estimated that 20 per cent of child population comprise of Dalits-downtrodden group also considered ‘untouchables’. Though a significant number of the child population in the country, very less has been done to give them their due stand in the country for their overall development.

In this respect, Child Workers In Nepal (CWIN) Concern Centre and Dalit Awareness Forum (DAF) organised a workshop on the theme of “Dalit child labour exploitation: challenges and solutions’ here on Friday.

Though child exploitation in itself a grave issue, Dalit children are much worse off than children from other groups in every aspect.

“Lack of political commitment in bettering the conditions of such underprivileged and downtrodden lots of the society is the major hindering fact for development of children,” said Dr Shanker Kumar Shrestha, National Human Rights Commission member.

Assuring her support for improving the current situation of Dalit children in the country, president of National Women’s Commission Durga Pokharel said, “Unless we change our perspectives of these unfortunate and browbeaten groups in the society, the situation will never change.”

She stressed on the need for social struggle and economic revolution and the necessity for everyone to realise their individual duties.

The Dalit children’s inability to compete with other children, due to lack of acknowledgement, representation, economic resources and political commitment, has resulted in their lagging behind.

“Though kind deed for these deprived lots and making reservations for them could contribute greatly to improving their situation, it is equally important to generate empowerment programme that will make them independent,” said Gauri Pradhan, president of CWIN.

Presenting his paper on the theme of the programme, Hasta Bahadur Biswokarma, DAF said, “Even after twelve years of reestablishment of democracy in the country, there is not a single Dalit in the policy making level, neither a single Dalit CDO in the 75 districts of the country.”

Opressed and Dalit Upliftment Development Committee formed in 1996 has not been able to make much progress in the state of affairs of the Dalits. The reality of the lives of Dalits and means to better their situation has been limited to political manifestos, election campaigns, newspapers and seminars, he said.

The recommendations he has made ranges from a need to form a Child Labour Elimination Academy, compulsory and free education for Dalit children to reservation of seats for them.

Due to their hard-up economic situation, most of the Dalits leave home at tender ages and migrate to big cities in search of odd jobs, and often ending abused and even sexually exploited.

Studies have shown that 21 per cent of child rag pickers are Dalits. Some 22 per cent of child porters are these oppressed children, with 18 per cent involved in this profession full-time and 23 per cent only working part-time.

They comprise 18 per cent of trafficked children, while 52 per cent are working in the coal mines with 43 per cent of them from a sub ethnic minority group Kami. Meanwhile, 18 per cent of street children are from this enthic group and many lie about their identity to avoid discrimination, while 11 per cent are eking out their livings through other labour activities.