Upholding human dignity: reflections based on adolescent girls’ perspectives

Ravi Shankar Rajaratnam and Mokbul Morshed Ahmad

Development in Practice, 2025, vol. 35, issue 5, 776-786

Abstract: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are meant to guarantee that everyone can realise their potential in dignity and equality. However, whether reaching the SDGs would adequately achieve human dignity is debatable. In-depth interviews with Dalit adolescent girls in Nepal were conducted based on grounded theory methodology to explore what dignity means to them. Discrimination based on gender, caste, age, and poverty frequently violates the dignity of adolescent girls. Considering adolescent girls’ perspectives on dignity, this research investigates the relationship between human dignity and human rights, empowerment, a rights-based approach, and the SDGs. Empowerment is one of the principles of rights-based programs, including the SDGs, which aim to promote human rights and address inequality. Human dignity is the foundation of human rights and is crucial for a rights-based approach to development. Hence, while re-emphasising human dignity, the SDGs should consider whether their ultimate target groups are treated with dignity.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2025.2502416

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