Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar, founder of Empower Dalit Women of Nepal (EDWON), MA, USA, is a prolific social entrepreneur and one of the most admired personalities in Nepal’s Dalits, the so called low-caste or untouchable people who are traditionally marginalized in the society.
Through her dedication and passion for the communities with which she works, Ms. Pariyar has overcome tremendous obstacles of gender, caste discrimination and poverty in Nepal as well as challenges that emerge because of socio-economic inequality and exclusion.
A bright student from her early school years, Ms. Pariyar has become an award winning scholar and social entrepreneur. Today, she has won more than a dozen scholarships and awards and became a rising youth leader in broader Nepalese community.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Political Systems from Nepal and the USA and a Master’s degree in International Development and Social Change from Clark University, MA, USA. Dr. Pariyar now works in the United States as a family advocate and counselor on domestic violence, while dedicating the rest of her time to uplifting Nepal’s marginalized people.
Having realized that low caste women have no advocates and are not served well by established aid organizations, Ms. Pariyar founded Association of Dalit Women Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) in Nepal and EDWON in USA with an exclusive objective of serving Dalit women and children of Nepal. She was only 20 at the time she founded ADWAN, which today has made significant impact in the fields of women’s rights and Dalit’s human rights. The organizations have also pioneered social change through grassroots development.
Because of her work, Dr. Pariyar had been invited to lecture at Harvard University, Brandeis University, Boston University and other prestigious institutions. She has been invited as a panelist and speaker at national and international conferences including at UNIFEM, AMNESTY International, and The World Bank Family Network Forum.
In addition, Dr. Pariyar has received a number of accolades, including The Bridge Builder Award from Harvard University, Perdita Hudson Human Rights Award by United Nations Association of USA, Dr. Ambedkar Award by Association of International Dalit Organizations, Margaret McNamara Memorial Award by World Bank Family Network, Pauline Tompkins Award, Women’s Leadership Award and President Cup Award from Pine Manor College, and Social change Fellow from Clark University.
She was awarded Nepal Samman (Jewel of Nation) award 2011 by Sagarmatha Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal and Solute to the Heroes Award 2010 by Association of Nepali in America (ANA) and several commendation letters from various Nepalese organizations.
Recently, Dr. Pariyar was conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from Pine Manor College, MA, USA from where she had earned her Bachelors of Arts on Social & Politics Systems.
source: bishnumayapariyar.org
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