Who Are We?
Let’s talk about something that matters – the harsh reality uncovered by India’s National Crimes Records Bureau in 2016. A staggering 40,801 reported atrocities against Dalits, and a shocking 14% of these incidents were directed at Dalit women. We’re talking about physical and sexual assault, harassment, stalking, voyeurism, and humiliation. The Global Campaign for Dalit Women (GCDW) uses 55 years of collective experience to support and empower Dalit women through self-led groups, survivor assistance, and grassroots activism.
The Global Campaign for Dalit Women (GCDW) is not just a campaign; it’s a movement fueled by the passion of Indian Dalit women activists. Our mission is to tackle the ongoing violence affecting over 100 million Dalit women in India.
GCDW is actively creating safe spaces across North India, supporting survivors, nurturing leaders, and sparking grassroots change.
What makes GCDW special? It’s the people behind it. The founders bring a dedication to making a difference in movement building, organising, advocacy, writing, and research. Together, we’re a force challenging the norms and fighting against a culture that protects wrongdoers.
Geographies
Delhi
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
Madhya Pradesh
Rajasthan
Haryana
In Struggle. In Strength. In Solidarity.
Our Change Mosaic
Survivor Support
Leadership Development
Empower survivors with our feminist-driven toolkit, where we offer self-defense and trauma healing workshops, psycho-social counseling, and a dedicated support fund. From navigating local to international legal complexities, we provide comprehensive guidance. Embracing a holistic approach, we extend family support, amplify voices through government advocacy, and foster community solidarity. Elevate survivors with facilitated health, education, and livelihood opportunities, championing empowerment and recovery.
Empowerment unfolds through a spectrum of human-focused initiatives, including specialized trainings and workshops covering legal expertise, government schemes, career development, ideology shaping, life skills, writing and speaking, human rights, PRI (Panchayati Raj Institutions), social media dynamics, and social analysis. Issue-specific support is dedicated to nurturing Dalit women leaders, ensuring their unique challenges and aspirations are addressed with precision and empathy.
Grassroots Activism
Strategic Partneships
Our grassroots approach centers on local meetings addressing entitlements, Jan Panchayats/Mahila Chaupal sessions, RTI services, and face-to-face Round Table Discussions with key authorities such as DC, SP, and Vigilance Committee members. We amplify our impact through engagement with local, national, and international media. Swabhimaan Yatras, the formation of civil society organization (CSO) networks/support groups, art and cultural initiatives, health camps, legal awareness programs, and the development of income generation models are integral facets of our community-driven initiatives. Additionally, we conduct fact-finding missions to ensure accurate information and informed decision-making.
Our collaborative efforts extend to alliance-building with local and international civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals. We actively engage with academia, form partnerships with ally groups, and establish meaningful connections with local, national, and international media outlets, donors, sponsors, and human rights organizations. This networked approach ensures a comprehensive and impactful advocacy for our shared mission.
We priortise dialogue and collaboration, recognising that sustainable transformation emerges from a collective alliance of local and global entities.