Identity & Inclusion:Building Synergy between Community Radio & Dalit Movement in Bangladesh

1. Identity & Inclusion:
Building Synergy between
Community Radio &
Dalit movement
Linking identity issues
& Community Radio in
Bangladesh
AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for
Radio and Communication

2. Dalit in Bangladesh
Bengali Dalits : Hindu, Christian and
Muslim) found across the country
Non-Bengali Dalits: Non-Bengali
Dalits who previously migrated
From India to what was then East
Bengal. (1835 to 1850 during the
British colonial period)
Approximately 5.5 million Dalits and
people from socially excluded
communities in Bangladesh

3.  The state shall not
discriminate against
any citizen on
grounds of
religion, race, caste, s
ex or place of birth.
 Constitution of
Bangladesh, Article
28(1)

4. - 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

5. 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

6. Role of Community Radio in Dalits and people from socially
excluded

9. 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

10. Community Radio Response in Bangladesh
Access 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.