India.

The 8th State Dalit Women's Conference was held in Palavoy Village, India on 27-28 August 2006, to strengthen the Dalit women's movement, raise awareness regarding Dalit women's political and land rights and voice a call to action to challenge untouchability, the caste system, globalisation processes, and religious fundamentalism. Over 1,000 Dalit women attended the 2-day event. Topics of discussion during the conference included the harmful effects of pesticides on the health of rural women involved in agricultural work, the negative impact of transnational corporations, the weak response of India's government to Dalit women's rights and concerns, the discriminatory treatment Dalit women endure, and the need for Dalit women to come together and act as a powerful, political unit. In Tamil Nadu, government laws and policies outline a number of rights for Dalits, including a guaranteed number of seats in the local government and the provision of two acres of land, but this is rarely implemented or enforced. Women leaders and activists spoke ardently about the pervasive practice of untouchability, with 40% of villages in India still involved in this practice, and the fact that 60% of sex workers are Dalits. Beyond confronting discrimination and inequality, it was felt that Dalit women's power in decision making and leadership must be championed. The second day of the conference closed with a passionate sharing of the resolutions from the conference.

Source: Michelle Rogers, an ARROW Programme Officer, attended the Conference on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), No. 80 & 82, 3rd Floor, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Website: www.arrow.org.my