Friends of ADWAN Nepal (FAN)
invites you to
Day of Charity: ADWAN’s 27th Anniversary
GALA CELEBRATION
DATE: November 8, 2025
TIME: 12 pm-5 pm EST
VENUE: 81 Sip Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306
(Hudson County Community College Library Auditorium, 2nd floor)
Gala door ticket $75 helps fund ADWAN’s 27th Anniversary programs: https://www.adwannepal.org/charity-gala
Come join FAN members and other longstanding donors for
Nepali food
Achievement Highlights
Silent Auction
Stories from the field
And much more!
Dear Friend,
Namaste!
We are delighted to invite you to join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone — the 27th Anniversary of the Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) and its inspiring journey of women’s empowerment.
Come be moved by the extraordinary stories of resilient women who have become true agents of their own change — replacing deeply ingrained caste-based discrimination, gender-based violence, and illiteracy with dignity, education, and self-determination.
From its humble beginnings with one small women’s savings and loan group in 1998, ADWAN has now grown to 6,200 women in 253 groups, impacting the lives of more than 153,000 people across Nepal. This transformation has been made possible through the unwavering spirit of rural women — and the generous support of friends like you.
This celebration is not just an anniversary — it’s a call to action. Come learn how your support can open doors to education, economic independence, and leadership for marginalized women, creating a brighter future for generations to come. Together, we can continue to break the cycle of poverty and injustice, building a more compassionate and equitable world.
Day of Charity: ADWAN’s 27th Anniversary Gala
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 12-5 pm EST
Venue: 81 Sip Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306
Let’s celebrate the past, empower the present, and shape a brighter future — together.
FAN is the educating and fundraising arm for ADWAN programs. It is a 501(C)3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Please send your tax deductible donation to:
Friends of ADWAN Nepal, 46 Elba Ave., Hopatcong, NJ 07843
Or,
Donate via our website: https://www.friendsofadwan.org/support-us
With gratitude,
Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, MA, Hon. DLitt.
President, Friends of ADWAN Nepal (USA)
Founding President and Chief Patron
ADWAN (Association for Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal)
ADWAN Silver Jubilee Photos
Jersey City, NJ, USA | Decemver 2, 2023
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ADWAN MILESTONES
1998-2023
ADWAN Nepal has been at the forefront of crusading for equality and empowerment of Nepal's so-called Dalits and marginalized communities. We've achieved numerous milestones in our struggle, and continue to work tirelessly towards creating a more just and equal society for all.
For a quarter of a century, ADWAN (Association for Dalit Women Advancement of Nepal) has stood as a beacon of hope, leading the charge for equality and empowerment in Nepal. In 19196, Ms. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, 21, started five women's groups in her own village Taklung, Gprkha, Nepal with $150 (Rs. 10,000) from a group of American expats with the support of her parents and sisters. In 1998, ADWAN was established by Ms. Bishnu Maya Pariyar and her friends.
Through our socio-economic, advocacy, livelihood, and education programs, we have championed the cause of Nepal's Dalits and marginalized communities. By equipping them with valuable skills and knowledge, we aim to break down the walls of discrimination and prejudice that have held them back in the past. Together, we have achieved numerous milestones in our relentless pursuit of social justice.
ADWAN has been working to empower women, children, and Dalits who have been marginalized in society since 1998. There are 5,880 Dalit and marginalized women involved from 223 women's groups that benefited: 150,446 +PEOPLE! For these determined rural women the future looks promising. They are true agents of change in a society where intergenerational social ills such as caste-based discriminations, gender-based violence and illiteracy have been replaced by newfound dignity and self-determination.
If you are looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of marginalized communities, join us today.
ADWAN's Impacts Factsheet
1998-2023
ADWAN works through education, literacy-led saving groups and awareness programs and ADWAN women become catalysts for social change, especially in terms of children’s education, awareness on domestic violence and caste-class-gender relations. ADWAN aims to foster a measure of economic independence and education, to boost self-esteem, and to instill solidarity and a sense of national pride. Here are some measured ADWAN facts about positive impact on women and children. The total of 150,446 + women and girls were benefited from ADWAN’s works from 1998 through 2023.
Women Groups
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There are total of 223 Women groups affiliated with ADWAN. In these groups, 5,880 women and girls are directly involving as member from Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Tanahu, Gulmi, Kailali, Mugu, Jhapa, Ilam, Kailali, Gulmi, Palpa and Rupendehi. And, total of 23,140+ women and girls are benefited.
Girls Education
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School Uniform Distribution program: Total of 16,745 students of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Sarlahi, Tanahu, Gulmi, Mugu, Jhapa and Ilam.
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Individual Sponsorship Program: Total of 1,032 students of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Gulmi, Kailali, Parpat, Tanahu and Sarlahi.
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Ambitious Girls' Fund: Total of 666 Girls from of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Gulmi, Kailali, Parpat, Tanahu and Sarlahi.
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Technical Education support: Total of 19 girls (Staff Nurse, ANM, CMA, Lab Technician, JTA, Law and other health education)
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Early Child Education Program: Total of 3,450 children of Gorkha and Baglung.
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Adult Education Classes: Total of 3,321 Adults Women from affiliated groups.
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Other Capacity Enhancement training: Total of 686 women and girls including board members and staffs.
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Day care Center: Total of 14 girls from slum areas of Ratnanagar, Chitwan.
Total beneficiaries: 25,880+ girls and boys.
Livelihood
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Basic Skill Development training (7 day): Total of 5,230 Women and Girls of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Tanahu, Mugu, Jhapa and Ilam.
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Short-term Skills development Training (28 days): Total of 1,398 women and girls Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Tanahu, Mugu, Jhapa and Ilam.
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Entrepreneurship Capacity Development Training: 6,430 women and girls of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, Tanahu, Mugu, Jhapa and Ilam.
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SMEs Establishment Training: Total of 5,041 women and girls.
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Seed fund support to SMEs: Total of 5,041 women and girls.
Total beneficiaries: 23,140+ women and girls.
Rights
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Workshop against "Gender Based Violence": Total of 6,465 Women & Girls of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, and Tanahu.
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Workshop against "Caste based Discrimination": Total of 6,465 women & Girls of Gorkha, Baglung, Arghakhanchi, Chitwan, and Tanahu.
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Workshop on " The Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068 (2011): Total of 5,535 women and girls.
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Workshop on "Human Rights provisioned in Constitution of Nepal": Total of 4,525 women and girls.
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Awareness program on SDGs: Total of 1,500 women and girls
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Training on Social Accountability Tools: Total of 1,340 Women and girls
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Capacity Development Training: Total of 634 women and girls.
Total beneficiaries: 26,464+ women and girls.
COVID 19, Relief Beneficiaries:
1. Food Item: Number of Household : 1,172 (4,376+ persons)
2. Cash for Work:Person: 375
Total beneficiaries: 5,751 people
3. Medical/Surgical:
Community people: Approx. 21,575 of Shahid Lakhan & Gandaki Rural Municipality through the 14 health posts of Shahid Lakhan and 4 health post of Gandaki Rural Municipality.
Total Covid-19 relief beneficiaries: 27,326+
Earthquake relief beneficiaries: 6,379 households x 4:
Total beneficiaries: 25,496+ people
Total ADWAN benefited so far: 150,446 + people
ADVOCACY
ADWAN is dedicated to giving advocacy trainings, raising the voice for the voiceless, and educating and empowering the marginalized and Dalits about their rights. Our team of professionals is experienced in creating social change and we are passionately committed to achieving justice for all.
LIVELIHOOD
ADWAN believes in empowering individuals through our livelihood training programs. Through our training, we provide individuals with the necessary skills to become self-sufficient and self-reliant. Our training programs are tailored to individual needs and designed to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
RIGHTS
ADWAN is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including economic and social, cultural, and political rights. We provide training programs to build awareness and understanding of these rights, and equip individuals with the tools necessary to advocate for themselves and their communities.