There is a feeling of concern over the rapid development of technologies as 'AI enabled online platforms, without proper regulation, would further perpetuate caste-based stereotypes, spread hate speech and engage in discriminatory behaviours'
Finding ways to tackle discriminatory, racist behaviours is a difficult thing. Casteism with its conscious and well-rooted beliefs is undoubtedly an expression of racism and a formidable propeller of inequality and exclusion.
Over the last few years, important steps have been made in Nepal to fight back against these practices. Yet there is still so much to be done because fighting casteism is not only about filing a legal suit against citizens perpetrating offenses.
A recent workshop organised by Dignity Initiative and Digital Rights Nepal tried to focus on the role that various social media platforms have in these complex dynamics. While they can be empowering, they can be excellent at spreading misinformation and disinformation. This is a real problem and in order to better understand the implications and consequences of these behaviours in the virtual realm, I asked a few questions to Santosh Sigdel, the human rights lawyer activist, who is also the executive director of Digital Rights Nepal.
Over the course of the workshop, Sigdel made a powerful case about the importance of tackling the issue of online discrimination. In an e-mail-based interview, he wrote to me that "rather than making more laws we should focus on the implementation of the laws, digital literacy and social cohesion. The Existing Section 4(12) of the Act covers online discrimination but that provision has not been effectively implemented. Moreover, it seems that large number of population are still not informed about the existence of this provision. Thus, legal awareness is also important.
"Caste-based discrimination has remained as a significant challenge in Nepal, despite having laws to ban it. With the proliferation of internet access and penetration and user base, we have observed a trend where the caste-discrimination has transcended the offline realm and reached the online space."
During his presentation at the workshop, I found very interesting his analysis about the reasons why discriminatory behaviours happening online are getting stronger and stronger. "The sense of anonymity, the universal access provided by the internet and the persistent discriminatory instinct rooted in social and cultural instincts are considered major fueling factors of online caste-based discrimination," he elaborated to me via e-mail.
Interestingly better enforcement of existing provisions won't be enough. "Having policies and laws to address this societal challenge is necessary but not adequate. Addressing it as part of digital literacy and digital citizenship as well as implementation of the laws is quite important, but we need also to analyse the trend from a sociological perspective."
I can't stress out the role that education can play here. Some positive developments are happening with more toolkits and expertise available to train leaders in the educational sector to fight discrimination.
But such tools can only go so far because at the end of the day, we need tons and tons of political will to fight discrimination in the real and virtual lives.
Then the focus on digital realm should not distract the battle in the day-to-day real life. How to draw a balance between awareness and action (including enforcement of laws and provisions) to fight, minimise discriminatory behaviours in the online sphere with the work that must be done in real life?
Rup Sunar, Executive Head of Dignity Initiative, shared with me his thoughts on this existential battle on two fronts.
"After the emergence of social media, caste discrimination has also shifted to digital space. Therefore, it requires a comprehensive approach to addressing caste-based discrimination both online and offline spaces. Offline interventions such as community awareness is essential to changing societal attitudes towards the caste system.
""Digital space stands as both an opportunity and challenge to Dalits. It has provided a platform to amplify our voices and concerns. It has helped us to bring our stories, narratives and perspectives to the forefront. Simultaneously, it has also become a caste-hatred breeding ground. Caste-based discrimination is taking place online at an alarming rate, and we can't afford to be a silent observer. We must understand the evolving nature of digital space and how it is being used to reinforce caste biases and prejudices in the age of AI."
For this reason, Sunar explained that "research will be conducted to collect data on caste-based discrimination in the digital space. This will help to better understand the nature and trends of the problem."
Sunar has one practical solution, that as small as it, resonates with me.
"We need to bring content creators from the marginalised groups together to sensitise them about caste issues and promote alternative narratives surrounding caste. There is a need to raise awareness among tech industry professionals about the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion," he added.
Over the course of the workshop, Sunar explained to me that many participants were not only concerned about the fact that laws relating to regulating and criminalising caste discrimination and their application in online space were either absent or not fairly implemented. There was also a certain feeling of gravity in imagining the rapid development of technologies. "AI enabled online platforms, without proper regulation, would further perpetuate caste-based stereotypes, spread hate speech, and engage in discriminatory behaviors.
"We will continue and double down with real life awareness and digital literacy campaigns to combat online hate speech, and humiliations against Dalits must go hand in hand," Sunar told me.
Somehow, we are at a crossroads.
Will the existing laws be re-purposed for the challenges posed by social media and AI? The only answer to this daunting question came from Sigdel during his presentation.
"Only a whole of society and whole of government effort can do the job".
Galimberti is the co-founder of ENGAGE and of The Good Leadership
