Running head: CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION 1

CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION ON MENTAL

HEALTH OF DALIT WOMEN

A Concept Paper

Submitted to

Graduate School of Education

Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University

Kirtipur, Kathmandu

Nepal

By

Asmita Koirala

PhD Candidate

September, 2020
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
2

Introduction

Nepal, a multi-ethnic country, is located in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s)

South-East Asia region and is landlocked by China and India. According to the World Bank,

Nepal is a low-income economy (World Bank, 2019). Globally, poor mental health is a serious

public health concern. 80 per cent of people with severe mental illness in Low and-Middle

Income Countries receive no effective treatment ( Luitel et al.2015).

In Nepal, caste-based disparities have been identified in mental health. The caste system

in Nepal is rooted in the India varna system, which divides society into rankings based on

ancestral lineages (Kohrt, et al.2009). Dalits comprise an estimated 20 per cent of Nepal’s

population. The term “Dalit” only came into usage in Nepal after 1990 and refers to those

considered “untouchable”. Dalits have the poorest life-expectancies, incomes, literacy rates and

job prospects, making them the most disadvantaged and discriminated against in Nepali

society.Kohrt et al., found that Dalits have a considerably greater prevalence of depression and

anxiety when compared with higher castes. This is unsurprising considering the discrimination

and poverty that Dalits endure. Exploring relationships between caste and mental health has

received little research attention. Therefore, it is important to investigate Dalits’ experiences of

mental illness due to social exclusion and discrimination.

CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
3

Statement of the Problem

Caste is found to be a complex institution, simultaneously weakened and revived by

current economic and political forces; it is a contributor to persisting national socioeconomic and

human capital disparities, and has major impacts on subjective wellbeing. Caste effects are not

locational; they travel from the village to the city and into virtually all markets. Caste persists in

the age of the market because of its advantages – its discriminations allow opportunity hoarding

for others; and the threat of the advancement of subordinated groups provokes humiliating

violence against them. The evidence points to the need for policy innovation to address market

and non-market discrimination and to remove barriers, especially in the informal and private

sector; and to ensure caste has its proper place in the global development policy debate.

Social exclusion is found in all

societies even in today’s world
that
strongly upholds values of social
equality. It is defined as
‘structural,
institutional, or agentive processes
of repulsion or obstruction’
(Fischer,
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
4

2008, p. 3) and ‘a progressive

multidimensional rupturing of the
“social
bond”’ (Silver, 2007, p. 1).
Exclusion is said to be a process
rather than
a state, such as poverty (Silver,
2007), but also a process that may
create
a state of feeling excluded
(Omtzigt, 2009). In simpler
words, social
exclusion involves keeping out
certain groups or sections of
society from
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
5

the mainstream, denying them

access to basic resources and
opportuni-
ties that are available to the rest
of society, often treating them
with
indignity. In almost all societies,
certain groups or sections seem to
be
singled out for exclusionary
attitudes and behaviour, on no
grounds other
than the fact that they belong to
these groups. Such exclusionary
atti-
tudes are more likely in stratified
hierarchical social systems. As the
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
6

world attempts to move towards

harmonious relationships,
upholding
the principle of social equality
and democratic values (Datta-
Gupta,
2010; Roy, 2015), it is time now to
take a serious look at the global
exclusionary attitude that prevails
towards people who are ‘different’,
do
not ‘belong’ or do not ‘fit in’.
Social exclusion is found in all
societies even in today’s world
that
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
7

strongly upholds values of social

equality. It is defined as
‘structural,
institutional, or agentive processes
of repulsion or obstruction’
(Fischer,
2008, p. 3) and ‘a progressive
multidimensional rupturing of the
“social
bond”’ (Silver, 2007, p. 1).
Exclusion is said to be a process
rather than
a state, such as poverty (Silver,
2007), but also a process that may
create
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
8

a state of feeling excluded

(Omtzigt, 2009). In simpler
words, social
exclusion involves keeping out
certain groups or sections of
society from
the mainstream, denying them
access to basic resources and
opportuni-
ties that are available to the rest
of society, often treating them
with
indignity. In almost all societies,
certain groups or sections seem to
be
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
9

singled out for exclusionary

attitudes and behaviour, on no
grounds other
than the fact that they belong to
these groups. Such exclusionary
atti-
tudes are more likely in stratified
hierarchical social systems. As the
world attempts to move towards
harmonious relationships,
upholding
the principle of social equality
and democratic values (Datta-
Gupta,
2010; Roy, 2015), it is time now to
take a serious look at the global
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
10

exclusionary attitude that prevails

towards people who are ‘different’,
do
not ‘belong’ or do not ‘fit in’.
This study aims to explore the prevalence and impact of cast based discrimination and social

exclusion and its association. This is guided by the following objectives:

• To explore the prevalence of cast based discrimination and social exclusion on mental health

• To explore the experience of the respondents towards cast based discrimination and social

exclusion

• To discuss the effect of cast based discrimination and social exclusion on mental health

• To identify the association between cast based discrimination and social exclusion on mental
health within the Dalit community

Significance of the Study

Despite the fact that social exclusion and marginalization are global, and are found in

most societies, exclusion within one’s own society as a feature of Nepali society is something

that cannot be ignored, lived with or wished away. So this purposed study will carry out

valuable, useful and essential significance such as it will help to explore perceptions of mental

health, discuss the impact of mental health stigmatization within the Dalit community and

explore the barriers that prevent Dalits from receiving mental health support in Kathmandu. This

study may be significant as literature to other researcher for further study in this field.
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
11

Delimitations

This study will only be sampled participants from Dalit community. Only dalit women

will be taken as sample from the exclusion group.

Review of Related Literatures

Theoretical Review

Social exclusion is found in all

societies even in today’s world that
strongly upholds values of social
equality. It is defined as ‘structural,
institutional, or agentive processes of
repulsion or obstruction’ (Fischer,
2008, p. 3) and ‘a progressive
multidimensional rupturing of the
“social
bond”’ (Silver, 2007, p. 1). Exclusion
is said to be a process rather than
a state, such as poverty (Silver, 2007),
but also a process that may create
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
12

a state of feeling excluded (Omtzigt,

2009). In simpler words, social
exclusion involves keeping out certain
groups or sections of society from
the mainstream, denying them access
to basic resources and opportuni-
ties that are available to the rest of
society, often treating them with
indignity. In almost all societies,
certain groups or sections seem to be
singled out for exclusionary attitudes
and behaviour, on no grounds other
than the fact that they belong to these
groups. Such exclusionary atti-
tudes are more likely in stratified
hierarchical social systems. As the
world attempts to move towards
harmonious relationships, upholding
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
13

the principle of social equality and

democratic values (Datta-Gupta,
2010; Roy, 2015), it is time now to
take a serious look at the global
exclusionary attitude that prevails
towards people who are ‘different’, do
not ‘belong’ or do not ‘fit in’.
Described as ‘a new social evil’ by
Goodin (1996, p. 343), the issue
of social exclusion has been
examined through diverse
approaches, in
areas of political, economic,
philosophical, sociological and
psychologi-
cal inquiry. In the present
discussion, the emphasis would be
largely
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
14

social–psychological and sociological.

Who is excluded, in what domain,
and in what way, is often a matter of
concern. Some experts distinguish
between political, economic, cultural
and social exclusion (Appleton-
Dyer & Field, 2014), underlining
variations in the domain of exclusion.
Much of the research in this area has
dealt with exclusion that stems
from or is accompanied by poverty,
deprivation and social disadvantage.
Exclusion is commonly considered to
be synonymous with or closely
linked to marginalisation. There may
be other forms of exclusion, such
as the exclusion of those with mental
illness and disability, which may
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
15

also lead to or be accompanied by

poverty, deprivation and social disad-
vantage, but have other underlying
dynamics
Social exclusion is found in all
societies even in today’s world
that
strongly upholds values of social
equality. It is defined as
‘structural,
institutional, or agentive processes
of repulsion or obstruction’
(Fischer,
2008, p. 3) and ‘a progressive
multidimensional rupturing of the
“social
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
16

bond”’ (Silver, 2007, p. 1).

Exclusion is said to be a process
rather than
a state, such as poverty (Silver,
2007), but also a process that may
create
a state of feeling excluded
(Omtzigt, 2009). In simpler
words, social
exclusion involves keeping out
certain groups or sections of
society from
the mainstream, denying them
access to basic resources and
opportuni-
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
17

ties that are available to the rest

of society, often treating them
with
indignity. In almost all societies,
certain groups or sections seem to
be
singled out for exclusionary
attitudes and behaviour, on no
grounds other
than the fact that they belong to
these groups. Such exclusionary
atti-
tudes are more likely in stratified
hierarchical social systems. As the
world attempts to move towards
harmonious relationships,
upholding
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
18

the principle of social equality

and democratic values (Datta-
Gupta,
2010; Roy, 2015), it is time now to
take a serious look at the global
exclusionary attitude that prevails
towards people who are ‘different’,
do
not ‘belong’ or do not ‘fit in’.
Described as ‘a new social evil’ by
Goodin (1996, p. 343), the issue
of social exclusion has been
examined through diverse
approaches, in
areas of political, economic,
philosophical, sociological and
psychologi-
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
19

cal inquiry. In the present

discussion, the emphasis would be
largely
social–psychological and
sociological. Who is excluded, in
what domain,
and in what way, is often a matter
of concern. Some experts
distinguish
between political, economic,
cultural and social exclusion
(Appleton-
Dyer & Field, 2014), underlining
variations in the domain of
exclusion.
Much of the research in this area
has dealt with exclusion that stems
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
20

from or is accompanied by poverty,

deprivation and social
disadvantage.
Exclusion is commonly considered
to be synonymous with or
closely
linked to marginalisation. There
may be other forms of exclusion,
such
as the exclusion of those with
mental illness and disability, which
may
also lead to or be accompanied by
poverty, deprivation and social
disad-
vantage, but have other underlying
dynamics
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
21

Social exclusion is found in all societies even in today’s world that strongly upholds

values of social equality. It is defined as ‘structural, institutional, or agentive processes of

repulsion or obstruction’ (Fischer, 2008) and ‘a progressive multidimensional rupturing of the

“social bond”’ (Silver, 2007). Exclusion is said to be a process rather than a state, such as

poverty (Silver, 2007), but also a process that may create a state of feeling excluded (Omtzigt,

2009). In simpler words, social exclusion involves keeping out certain groups or sections of

society from the mainstream, denying them access to basic resources and opportunities that are

available to the rest of society, often treating them with indignity. In almost all societies, certain

groups or sections seem to be singled out for exclusionary attitudes and behavior, on no grounds

other than the fact that they belong to these groups. Such exclusionary attitudes are more likely

in stratified hierarchical social systems. As the world attempts to move towards harmonious

relationships, upholding the principle of social equality and democratic values (Datta-Gupta,

2010; Roy, 2015), it is time now to take a serious look at the global exclusionary attitude that

prevails towards people who are ‘different’, do not ‘belong’ or do not ‘fit in’.

The untouchables (Dalits) are an infamous example of exclusion based on caste, and

these include groups such as manual scavengers, those who work on cremation grounds and

burial sites, and others who are engaged in similar occupations that are considered to be

‘unclean’. Tribals, or adivasis, also represent a socially and spatially excluded group in Indian

society. Another example of a marginalized group is widows, abandoned by their families and

community, who make religious, places their home because they are not accepted anywhere else.

There is yet another section of society that is socially excluded on entirely different grounds, as

aforementioned: those suffering from mental health problems and disabilities. This silent group

is not only marginalized by society, but has also received less attention than it deserves from
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
22

social scientists and policy-makers. In what ways the exclusion of this section of society is

similar or dissimilar to other forms of exclusion is an issue that will be included in the present

discussion.

Empirical Review

The Gender and Social Exclusion Assessment (GSEA) study, which was conducted in

close collaboration with the GoN’s National Planning Commission (NPC), and the further

analysis of the 2006 NDHS data from the perspective of caste, ethnicity, and regional identity

provide details on the historical context of caste/ethnic and regional exclusion in the country

(Bennett et al., 2008; World Bank and DFID, 2006). Several international human rights

organizations insist that worldwide over 260 million people suffer from discrimination based on

caste (or ‘work and descent’, the UN terminology for such systems of inherited status), that caste

is “a fundamental determinant [of] social exclusion and development”, and affects some 20–25

percent of the world’s population – including (but not restricted to) the peoples of South Asian

nations and their diasporas. They have lobbied for caste to be recognized in progress indicators

and data disaggregation, and have published shadow reports on caste disparities hidden in

national reporting on SDGs (ADRF, 2017). Caste-based discrimination can influence all spheres

of life and violate a cross-section of basic human rights including civil, political, social,

economic and cultural rights. It is also a major obstacle to achieving development goals, since

affected populations are often excluded from development processes.

Research Methodology

Philosophical Considerations
CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
23

The study will be rooted in critical paradigm. Critical theory believes that research is conducted

for “the emancipation of individuals and groups in an egalitarian society” (Cohen et al, 2007).

The critical educational researcher aims not only to understand or give an account of behaviors

in societies but to change these behaviors.

Research Design

A mixed method research design was used to assess the relationship between cast discrimination,

social exclusion and mental health.

Study Setting

This study area will be province 3.

Sampling

Stratified sampling method will be used. 3Strata will be Kathmandu bhaktapur and lalitpur.

Study Tools and Method

Semi-structured questionnaire and key informant interview, interview schedule will be used.

Reliability and Validity of the Tools

The reliability will be established by seeking the opinion of peers, advisor and members

of research committee. Based on their suggestion, necessary modification will be done, And I

will consult the persons outside to review for this research project to indicate it strong and weak

points.

Ethical approval and requirement

 CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
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I will take an ethical approval from Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC). I will apply

personal access to rapport with the participants to get information and to entry the field I will

promise that the obtained information would be confidential and pseudo name will be used in the

report. I will take a permission from participant to record their information and will ensure them

about their confidentiality maintain.

Data Analysis Procedure

After data collection, I will encode the qualitative data in SPSS software. Data analysis will be

done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

REFERENCES

ADRF.(2017). Progress towards inclusive sustainable development in India: A study of Dalits and

Adivasis in 2030 Agenda (2017)Retrieved from http://asiadalitrightsforum.org/publications.php

Bennett, L., D.R. Dahal, and P. Govindasamy. 2008. Caste, Ethnic and Regional Identity in Nepal:

Further Analysis of the 2006 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, MD, USA:

Macro International.

Cohen, L. Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education 6th edition. London:

Routledge.
 CASTE BASED DISCRIMINATION
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Datta-Gupta, S. (2010). Some theoretical issues concerning social exclusion and inclusion in India. In H.

Bhattacharyya, P. Sarkar, & A. Kar (Eds.) (2010). The politics of social exclusion in India:

Democracy at the crossroads.pp. 15–21. Routledge: Oxon.

Fischer, A.M. (2008). Resolving the theoretical ambiguities of social exclusion with reference to

polarisation and conflict. Working Paper—08-90. London: Development Studies Institute,

London School of Economics and Political Science

Kohrt BA, Speckman RA, Kunz RD, et al.(2009) Culture in psychiatric epidemiology: Using

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anxiety in Nepal. Annals of Human Biology. 2009;36(3):261-280. doi:10.1080/0

3014460902839194

Luitel NP, Jordans MJ, Adhikari A, et al.(2015). Mental health care in Nepal: Current situation and

challenges for development of a district mental health care plan. Confl Health. 2015;9(1).

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Omtzigt, Dirk-Jan (2009). Survey on social inclusion: Theory and policy. Report—Working Paper.

Oxford University, Oxford Institute of Global Economic Development.

Silver, H. (1994). Social exclusion and social solidarity: Three paradigms. International Labour Review,

133(5–6), 531–578.———. (2007). The process of social exclusion: The dynamics of an evolving

concept. CPRC Working Paper 95. Chronic Poverty Research Center.

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World Bank.(2019). World Bank Country and Lending Groups.

https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowled gebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-

lend ing-groups. Accessed June 29, 2019.

World Health Organisation.(2019). Countries, Nepal. http s://www.who.int/countries/npl/en/. Accessed

June 29, 2019.

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news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengt hening-our-response. Accessed January 5,

2019.

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