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Researcher: A.S.M. Tofazzel Haque, (FAIR), Kushtia
The Harijons (Sweeper community), a 'missing poor'
community is one of the most vulnerable poverty groups
in the country. They are discriminated against as the
lowest caste among the Hindus in the country. The major
objective of this action research is to explore the
possible strategies of mainstreaming the Harijons into
the development process through appropriate advocacy
initiatives and creation of alternative occupational
opportunities by providing necessary skill training.
The specific objectives of this research are to investigate
into the inhuman conditions of lives and livelihoods
of the Harijon community through a participatory approach.
Members of the Harijon community will participate in
the process of the research to reflect upon the existing
realities relating to their inhuman condition of deprivation,
exploitation, exclusion, and discrimination and the
concomitant causes of poverty resulting out of this
situation. Applying different participatory methods
of discussions including some rights-based workshops
and seminars, these reflections will be used to evolve
ways to raise the community consciousness and awareness
in order to stimulate their self-reliance, self-motivation,
and self-dignity and confidence on basic human needs,
fundamental rights and human rights. The research is
also expected to develop a modality for appropriate
advocacy to influence attitude and the mindset of the
government, local government, NGOs, social activists,
teachers, students, community leaders, journalist, social
workers, members of the civil society, and general population
of the mainstream to develop a positive attitude towards
the Harijons (Sweeper) community and their human dignity
and to take and support necessary action and plan to
implement programs for the socio-psychological and economical
liberation of the Harijon community.
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