The Role of Civil Society in Combating Harassment against Dalit Women in India

Abstract

Caste-based discrimination continues to be a deeply entrenched social issue in India, disproportionately affecting Scheduled Caste (SC) women who face dual marginalization on the grounds of caste and gender. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2022), there were over 4,970 reported rape cases and 3,480 assault cases against SC women, with conviction rates alarmingly low at 23.2% and 19.5% respectively. This study, conducted in Tumkur District, Karnataka, examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and grassroots collectives in addressing and mitigating caste-based harassment of SC women. The research employs a qualitative approach, supported by government data, academic literature, and interviews with activists and SC women beneficiaries. It finds that while CSOs have made significant contributions in legal aid, community awareness, and institutional lobbying, their impact is often constrained by limited resources, societal resistance, and inadequate policy integration. This article highlights both the achievements and limitations of civil society in fostering empowerment and justice for Dalit women and argues for a more institutionalized collaboration between civil society and the state. The findings underline the urgent need for capacity-building, legal literacy, and sustained funding for community-led initiatives to create long-term systemic change.