How has The Gambia progressed in recognising CDWD rights: UPR Fact sheets

How has The Gambia progressed in recognising CDWD rights: UPR Fact sheets

The Gambia continues to grapple with deeply rooted caste and descent-based discrimination (DWD), a pervasive issue affecting marginalized communities across the country. Despite national and international commitments to eradicate such discrimination, systemic inequalities persist, particularly in education, gender equality, political representation, and protection from violence. Communities identified as “slave castes” face widespread stigma and exclusion-especially…

A seismic moment: ACHPR adopts resolution on Africa CDWD

A seismic moment: ACHPR adopts resolution on Africa CDWD

In a significant milestone for the rights of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has adopted a landmark resolution focused on the protection and promotion of these communities’ rights in Africa.  This resolution was passed as one of eight thematic resolutions during the 81st Public…

New Jersey declares September 21 as Global Caste Awareness Day

New Jersey declares September 21 as Global Caste Awareness Day

In a landmark step towards fighting caste-based discrimination, New Jersey officially declared September 21 as Global Caste Awareness Day, following a resolution passed by the Jersey City Municipal Council. This significant move highlights the need to address caste-based discrimination, a pervasive issue affecting millions of people globally, particularly those in the South Asian diaspora.  The…

Giving a voice to Africa’s CDWD: The fight for recognition, rights and representation

Giving a voice to Africa’s CDWD: The fight for recognition, rights and representation

One of the first questions when talking about any marginalized community across the world is about their population, distribution, and the data to support these facts. But what if such data is not available? What if the marginalized community is not even recognized as such? What if the government outrightly dismisses any claims made by…

GFoD submission to the OHCHR call for inputs on universal birth registration, use of digital technology

GFoD submission to the OHCHR call for inputs on universal birth registration, use of digital technology

This submission has been coordinated by Simona Torotcoi, GFoD, Coordinator for Europe, with inputs from the following GFoD rights experts: Marina Csikós, and Fikrija Tair Selmani. Discrimination based on Work and Descent (DWD) affects more than 270 million people worldwide. Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) can be found on all continents: Dalit communities…