Quest for Equity: Urban Dalit Women Employees and Entrepreneurs

This study is concerned with the opportunities and challenges experienced by Educated Urban Dalit Women (EUDW) in the contemporary labour market in India. It explores the interplay of caste, class and gender in moulding the aspirations, efforts and achievements of Dalit women (DW) under the globalization and liberalization reforms of the 21st century. It analyzes caste and gender based exclusion and discrimination in urban employment and entrepreneurship policies and practices. It underscores the relevance of a social and gender justice framework and a rights-based approach to understanding and promoting Dalit women’s economic empowerment and social upliftment. This study is the outcome of a participatory process, involving Dalit researchers and activists at different levels and drawing deeply on the perspectives and experiences of EUDW. An underlying motivation of the study is to develop appropriate advocacy and programme strategies to address caste, class and gender based barriers in urban employment and enterprises in line with securing and promoting the rights of EUDW in labour marke t and thewider society.