Just Futures Pahal (JFP) is a not-for-profit, government recognized organization in Nepal committed to understanding and engendering new narratives on dignity, justice, equity, inclusive democracy, and sustainability through the prism of Jat/Caste. Dalit women will be the primary actors and focus of its work, in collaboration with Dalit men, gender and sexual minorities, other marginalized groups, and progressives from dominant castes and others worldwide. Dalit women lived experiences, love, aspirations, and leadership will be central to all JFP endeavors.

Origins

JFP emerged from over a decade of critical conversations with activists, practitioners, and renowned scholars worldwide working on questions related to the politics of knowledge and imagination surrounding Caste, Gender, Class, Sexuality, inclusive Democracy, and Sustainability (CGCSDS). Officially registered as a not-for-profit organization in Nepal in April 2023, with a greater emphasis on intersectionality, JFP aims to explore, engage, and expand collaborative partnerships surrounding CGCSDS with individuals, communities, institutions, and social justice movements in Nepal and beyond. At the core of this Pahal (initiative) is a simple yet powerful idea: acknowledging and supporting the agency, love, aspirations, and transformative potential of Dalit women, especially as producers of knowledge and narratives on CGCSDS. Centering Dalit women’s lived experiences, love, aspirations, and leadership is essential to envision just futures for humanity, including over 250 million Dalits worldwide and is the key to unlocking transformative possibilities.

Acknowledgment

Just Futures Pahal (JFP), a Dalit women-led organization established to center the lived experiences, aspirations, and leadership of Dalit women, extends its gratitude to the numerous individuals and institutions who supported our journey. Their contributions were instrumental in bringing this ambitious vision to life, from its conception to the planning and implementation of our programs.

In particular, JFP would like to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. Amar BK. Upon obtaining his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, Dr. BK joined the Samata Foundation as a senior researcher. He then served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of JFP (established in 2023) and held the position of Executive Director until December 2023. JFP is deeply grateful for Dr. BK's intellectual expertise, his exceptional teaching skills, and his ability to provide a listening ear to our fellows. His contributions have significantly enhanced the critical thinking capabilities of the participants in the 18-month fellowship program, "Apan Katha Apnei Bunechhi," specifically designed for Madheshi Dalit women.