Terming them as integral part of the society speakers at a discussion called for ensuring fundamental rights of dalit and excluded communities to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Collaborative efforts of all government and non-government entities concerned has become indispensable to build an equal society by eliminating all forms of discrimination against them on the basis of equality, dignity, prosperity and security, they told at the meeting.
Nagorik Uddyog (NU) and Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement
(BDERM) jointly organized the meeting styled “Inclusion of Dalit and Excluded
Communities to Achieve SDGs- 2030″ held recently at the conference hall of DASCOH Foundation in Rajshahi.General Secretary of Workers Party of Bangladesh Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, addressed the meeting as chief guest while Deputy Director of Department of Social Services Hasina Momtaj, Deputy Director of Department of Women Affairs Shobnom Shirin, Youth Development Officer Jahurul Islam and NU Chief Executive Zakir Hossain spoke as special guests with BDERM Vice-president Bibhutosh Roy in the chair.
During his keynote presentation, Bakul Hossain, Programme Officer of NU, gave an overview of the present living and livelihood condition of dalit and excluded communities.
In his remarks, lawmaker Badsha said SDGs are of essence to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, adding its key commitment is “no one will be left behind”.
He said the present government has been implementing gigantic programmes with an aim to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Public and private sector’s development entities and other stakeholders have been engaged in the SDGs implementation process to this end, he added. He also stressed the need to build awareness amongst Dalits and excluded communities of their socio-economic, cultural and political rights. Building public awareness against discrimination based on work and descent has also become crucial in this regard.
Fazley Hossain Badsha underscored the need for ensuring access of Dalit and excluded communities to development, basic services and benefits. All the policy makers both government and non-government organizations concerned should be sensitive and responsible to ensure the rights and needs of them for improving their living and livelihood condition. Besides, capacity of Dalit run organisations should be strengthened to establish unity and harmony so that they can play a catalytic role for communication amongst Dalit groups, he added.
