Consultation on SDG Progress with Dalit NGO Federation

May 16: A consultation meeting on the Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was held with the Dalit NGO Federation (DNF), which is also the convener for the Goal No. 10, Reduced Inequalities. The meeting focused on sharing experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in the pursuit of this goal. The participants included representatives of several organizations registered within Dalit NGO Federation.

Bhakta Bishwokarma, the acting President of DNF, voiced significant concerns regarding the absence of disaggregated data on Dalit poverty. He stressed the need for accurate indicators to truly measure and address the socio-economic conditions of the Dalit community.

Pampha Pariyar, the executive committee member of the Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN), emphasized the importance of evaluating the progress from previous VNRs and identifying areas that need improvement. She specifically highlighted the need to monitor the educational advancements of Dalit women.

Participants of the meeting expressed grave concerns about the state's neglect of Dalits, the inefficiency of Dalit Aayog, lack of data transparency, and the slow progress in achieving SDGs related to Dalit empowerment and inequality reduction. Several suggestions emerged from the discussion, including the necessity for stronger collaboration between DNF and Dalit Aayog, localizing SDG initiatives, and addressing both financial and social poverty.

The meeting concluded with a call for increased inclusion of Dalits in both government and private sectors. Participants also emphasized the urgent need for actionable solutions to end discrimination and uplift the Dalit community, ensuring that no one is left behind in the nation's sustainable development agenda.