International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Dalit Women, and the Margins: Inclusive Development Challenges in Haryana (1966–2020)

This paper offers a comprehensive, intersectional analysis of the social, economic, and political marginalization of Dalit women in Haryana between 1966 and 2020. Using a mixed-methods design that combines historical institutional analysis, secondary quantitative trends, and primary qualitative fieldwork, the study maps structural patterns of exclusion and evaluates the reach and effectiveness of state and central policies. Findings indicate persistent intersecting disadvantages for Dalit women: concentrated landlessness and insecure tenure; occupational segregation into low-paid, informal work; lower educational attainment and health outcomes; chronic underrepresentation in meaningful local governance despite reservation; and continued exposure to caste-based violence and discrimination. The paper concludes with operational policy reforms, institutional redesigns, and measurable indicators for monitoring progress toward intersectional inclusion.