FOREWORD

Dalit women are discriminated against due to a male-dominated social structure, and they are limited to traditional roles. They have less access to resources, power and control over their lives than Dalit men or other women in Nepal . In general, women's status in Nepal is very low, comparatively; Dalit women are in the worst situation, which renders them sad, and without enthusiasm. They are aware of their miserable conditions, but they do not know the reason for it.

This is the 21st century and age of science and technology, however it is sad to say that Dalits are downtrodden. They are the bottoms of development and still they are spending more time and energy to fight against caste and gender discrimination rather than involving in their development. They are fighting for basic needs and equal status in the society. The entire reality is that neither the government nor the social institutions are giving their helping hands to the Dalit women activists. So every one can imagine the limited condition of Dalit women. FEDO has received ten years of its establishment. FEDO continues in its commitment to seek support from all as much as possible in order to extend support to Dalit women's upliftment and liberation. Working through its vision and mission of reducing caste and gender discrimination, FEDO has successfully completed its nine years for Dalit women empowerment through integrated program approach, the guiding principles of the organization, in various parts of the country. The year 2003 marked the tenth year of the emergence of our organization and its subsequent involvement in empowering Dalit women and children. FEDO has provided services in eleven districts through different activities in the year of 2003.

This annual report provides a different program activities during 2003 that represent, to a certain extent, the nature and scope of the FEDO's activities in different parts of Nepal. We have improved ourselves through our own efforts and experimental learning about the process of Dalit upliftment at past. We know that we still have a lot more to learn in the days to come. We must prepare face the new challenges that are likely to appear in the future. Therefore, we realized to develop our expertise and existence in all areas of awareness and advocacy to influence state policy towards Dalit upliftment.

Different partners, as their strategy, are taking interest in working with FEDO. In this regard, we would like to express our commitment for joining helping hands to construct just and equitable society. In this commitment, we certainly ensure Dalit women's involvement and their effective participation in effort flow in reducing caste and gender discrimination. So that, we are networking from central to grassroots to help find and foster the solutions. I would like to express my appreciation and sincere thanks to the donors and partners specially to HUGOU/DSU, SC/US, LWF Nepal, GRT, TAF who have worked with us for the upliftment of Dalit women at present. We seek their collaboration and support in this crucial and urgent mission and I am positive this relationship will continue in future. I can tell from our experiences that any work created with pure heart and mind will always come true. All our achievements were possible because we had your support and faith in us.

I am grateful to express my gratitude to Ms. Ambika Gajmer, Executive Director, Mr. Bharat Nepali, Program Officer and Ms. Anita Pariyar, Finance Officer, Mr. Amrit Bishwakarma, District Program Coordinator for their contributions in preparing this annual report. I would also like to thank other staffs of the organization who worked with FEDO's guiding principles at grassroots and central level. Without their efforts FEDO would not have been able to accomplish the work and bring the report in this shape. I may not leave to appreciate the target communities who have contributed to strengthen FEDO.

Durga Sob

President
Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)