ADWAN celebrates its silver jubilee with different functions

KATHMANDU: The Association of Dalit Women’s Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) celebrated its silver jubilee amid different functions. Established in 1998 with an aim to end caste-based and all kinds of discrimination, the ADWAN has claimed that more than 150,000 Dalits and people from other marginalized communities were benefited in the last 25 years. Expressing her best wishes on the celebration chief guest of the main function Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar stressed on the need to focus on their economic, social, and political development to resolve the problem of ethnic and caste-based discrimination and untouchability practices for centuries. “There are restrictions to enter temples built by them and are not allowed to have food on the plates they made. Only Dalit's voices won’t be enough, all the castes should raise voices against such discriminations among the people,” Rana Magar said. 

During the function, an award established by the foundation of founding chair of ADWAN and social activist, Dr Bishnu Maya Pariyar in coordination with ADWAN ‘self-esteem dignity award’ was conferred to a writer, thinker and social activist Sanjeev Karki and a social campaigner Ram Kumari Das for their continuous campaigns against caste-based discrimination and untouchability. The award consists of a purse of Rs 50,000 and a plaque of felicitation. Speakers of the silver jubilee celebration chaired by ADWAN Chairperson Bindu Pariyar Thapa, stressed the need of unity among all the marginalised groups and indigenous nationalities to end all kinds of discriminations in the country. Chairman of Indigenous Nationalities Commission Ram Bahadur Thapa and Kamala Parajuli, chairperson of National Women Commission said the state should launch campaigns to end caste-based discrimination and untouchability from the country. Founding chair of ADWAN and its patron Dr Bishnu Maya Pariyar said Dalit community must be educated to ensure a society based on social justice. According to Dr Pariyar, the role of non-Dalits was equally important to end caste-based discrimination and therefore all the sections of the society should work together for ending discriminations.

Citing the successful leadership and achieving the goals, former ambassador Padam Sundas said ADWAN has depicted the example that women could be given the leaderships of all the sectors of the society. Members of the Constituent Assembly Binod Pahadi and member of parliament Nira Jairu warned of ending the achievements for the Dalit community.
ADWAN Chair Pariyar Thapa briefed how her organisation worked for the equality of men and women. 

Other speakers were member of the National Human Rights Commission Lily Thapa, member of the House of Representatives Shiva Nepali, chair of National Dalit Commission Devraj Bishwokarma, Peace Corps director Troy Kofroth, Representative of German Embassy Lydia Willand, USAID representative Sumitra Manandhar, NRNA chair Dr Badri KC, Popular folk singer and Honorary Consul General of Nepal to USA Prem Raja Mahat and President of Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC) Kamala Hemchuri among others.