Untouchability is not exclusive to India but is a global issue, affecting various societies in Africa and Japan. Similar to the Dalits in India, communities in Africa and Japan face deeply entrenched forms of social exclusion and discrimination based on descent and occupation.

In Africa, the Haratins of the Sahel region and other marginalized groups experience forms of untouchability tied to historical hierarchies. They are often relegated to menial labor and denied basic rights, facing exclusion from mainstream society. This system of discrimination is rooted in a rigid social structure that views certain communities as impure, perpetuating cycles of poverty, exploitation, and violence. Despite efforts to combat these practices, untouchability persists, reinforced by societal norms and traditional roles.

Japan’s Burakumin community also faces untouchability, despite being ethnically indistinguishable from other Japanese people. Historically segregated, Burakumin were assigned “unclean” occupations such as leatherwork and butchery, leading to social ostracism. Though Japan has enacted laws to reduce discrimination, the Burakumin continue to suffer from social exclusion, limited job opportunities, and widespread prejudice. Like Dalits in India, Burakumin are still often seen as inferior due to their association with impure labor, despite legal protections.

These communities, from India’s Dalits to Africa’s Haratins and Japan’s Burakumin, share a common struggle against untouchability. Their social status is determined by birth, and they are subjected to degrading labor and exclusion, while violence and impunity against them remain common. Although international awareness of caste-based discrimination has grown, the implementation of protections and eradication of untouchability remain elusive. Global efforts are needed to recognize and address untouchability, as it is a widespread issue that transcends borders and cultures, impacting millions worldwide.