Society creates inequality through caste, class, patriarchy, and systems of exclusion: Ruth Manorama

“The histories of Dalit women are histories of resistance. We have fought in villages, slums, communities, workplaces, and international platforms. We have transformed pain into power and silence into collective voice,” said social activist Ruth Manorama, speaking at a six-day ongoing national conference titled “Dalit feminist sisterhood and solidarities across South Asia” in Bengaluru. The conference is hosted by Women’s Voice, the Secretariat of the National Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW).

The event is aimed at deepening solidarities, strengthening collective strategies, and imagining a future rooted in justice, dignity, equality, and human rights for Dalit women and all marginalised communities.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Manorama said, “Discrimination is not natural. No woman is born unequal. Society creates inequality through caste, class, patriarchy, and systems of exclusion.” 

She stressed that the Dalit women continue to face violence, social imbalance, denial of citizenship, lack of livelihood, exclusion from education, and injustice within homes and institutions. “Yet, despite centuries of oppression, Dalit women continue to rise with extraordinary courage,” she added. 

Stressing the objective of the event, she said the goal of such a convention is to build movements that strengthen the voices of single women, working-class women, and gender-diverse communities.

Prominent Dalit activist Jyothi Raj stressed about the realities of caste discrimination and untouchability that still exist in society. 

“Human rights are not a privilege given to a few, but a birthright for every human being. Dalit women, marginalised communities, and oppressed people have carried generations of pain, yet they continue to rise with strength, resilience, and hope,” she said.