Bishnu Maya Pariyar

Bishnu Maya Pariyar grew up in rural Nepal. A Dailt, lowest caste in the Hindu caste system, she was destined to live out her life in abject poverty while bowing in submission to higher castes and as a woman, the men of her caste. Bishnu broke out of the chains she was born into and fought to go to school.

She was fortunate to meet the right people and was able to get an American education which she is now using to help those who are in the position she was in. Her organization EDWON, Empower Dalit Women of Nepal, is helping women who would otherwise be forgotten. These women were beaten daily, forced to work their fingers to the bones for nothing in return and considered worthless. They were not allowed education nor to go to temple to worship.

Through EDWON and Bishnu the Dalit women of rural Nepal, as well as their families have benefited greatly. They become members of small women's groups who help educate the women, then the women receive small loans to start a business of their own. After they start the business they pay back their loan for another woman to benefit from. It not only helps the women but it gives hope to the children that they to can make something of themselves.

Women are learning to read and write, they are learning sexual and reproductive health. They are learning that they are not worthless and that they are human beings worthy of living. They are making their children's education a priority. Domestic abuse rates are down and in some areas the abuse has stopped completely because the pressure to be the sole family provider is taken off the husband and they realize that their wives are not useless.

Edwon is a vital organization for the increased awareness throughout Nepal, and the world that caste discrimination, while illegal, is still fully in effect. It needs to be eradicated and without organizations like EDWON Dalits have no chance of survival. Please visit the EDWON Web site as well as the link to an article written for Bishnu's graduate school alumni magazine, Clark University. She is an amazing woman who created an amazing organization.

www.clarku.edu/alumni/clarknews/spring06/nepal.cfm