Association for Dalit Women Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) is a human rights organization for Dalit (so called low-caste) & other marginalized women and children. It is a non-political, not profit making and non-government organization (NGO) legally registered at Kathmandu District Administration Office (D.A.O. Reg. No. 99/055/056) and is affiliated to Social Welfare Council. The organization was founded in 2055 B.S. (1998 A.D.) by a group of young and motivated Dalit women who had overcome immense obstacles of poverty, gender and caste discriminations. With the slogan “Empowering women and Educating girls” it is working in rural Nepal promoting solidarity for women across caste lines and empowering them through education, micro finance, human rights awareness and health trainings.

Through education, literacy-led saving groups and awareness programs the women become catalysts for social change, especially in terms of children’s education, domestic violence and caste-class-gender relations. ADWAN aims to foster a measure of economic independence, to boost self-esteem, and to instill solidarity and a sense of national pride. ADWAN currently operates in Gorkha, Tahanu, Arghakhanchi, Baglung, Chitwan, Sarlahi and .

ADWAN believes that Dalit women can be empowered through four pillers, REAL. So, it works on integrated programs of all four pillers. The activities of those pillars are:

  • Pillar 1: Rights:
  • Pillar 2: Education:
  • Pillar 3: Advocacy
  • Pillar 4: Livelihood

On-going Activities:

ADWAN is working dominantly in Dalit & Marginalized communities of rural parts of Nepal, neglected by other development agencies. It focuses on community mobilization, and creates women’s solidarity groups, where possible of mixed castes. ADWAN has organized 75 saving and loan groups comprising of more than 2000 women (Dalit women in major roles and number). Groups formed since 1998 and onwards are thriving and growing. Over 1500 secondary level students are benefited by uniform stipend program, 104 students are individually sponsored by US citizens and 21 college students (girls) are benefiting from higher study scholarship program called “Ambitious Girls’ Fund”. 126 women from 20 groups are now engaged in micro enterprises with the loan provided by ADWAN’s Micro Loan Project. 4 literacy classes and 6 pre-school classes are ongoing. The group women have become the role model of community development and social transformation. The major on-going activities are:

  • Pre-school Classes for pre-primary children
  • Uniform Stipend and Sponsorship for school level children (girls and boys)
  • AGF ( Scholarship for college level girls)
  • Non-formal Education
  • Group Saving and Credit
  • Micro Loan (Business start up Loan)
  • Human Rights Workshops
  • Advocating Human Rights, Violence against Women, Dalit and Marginalized Women
  • Skill Development and Capacity Building Trainings
  • Entreprenuership Capacity Enhancement Training (To promote women to SMEs)
  • Advocating human rights violation cases against Dalit and Marginalized Women & Girls
  • Emergency Relief Supports