About Adhikaar

Since 2005, Adhikaar has been committed to improving the lives of the Nepali-speaking community and getting our voices heard in the social justice movement. We have assisted thousands of individuals and families; trained hundreds of new leaders; and successfully changed policies and created new laws at local, state, national, and international levels, including the New York State Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and the International Domestic Workers’ Convention.

Our Mission

Adhikaar, meaning “rights” in Nepali, is a women-led community and workers’ center that provides direct services to the Nepali-speaking* community and organizes low-income workers and impacted community members to promote social justice and human rights. We create access to information, build community leadership, and grow collective power to win rights for our communities, and dignity and equity for all. 

*At Adhikaar, we define the Nepali-speaking community as descendants of Nepal, Bhutan, India, Burma, and Tibet that speak Nepali.

  1. We create a safe and loving community that is a maiti ghar or home for our members.

  2. We hold ourselves accountable to our community, including respecting the diversity of the Nepali-speaking communities.

  3. We build solidarity to create inclusive communities and pursue equity and justice for all. 

  4. We center women’s leadership while creating a gender inclusive environment.

  5. We center the most impacted community members, including those who are low-income workers and those with limited literacy.

  6. We lead with integrity and respect as a foundation for our work as it embodies empathy, trust and love.

  7. We recognize all who contribute to building Adhikaar.

  8. In the face of adversity, we fight back, build power and grow leaders.

Group photo of Adhikaar members and community members during our annual women’s day (Nari Diwas) celebration.

To achieve our mission:

  • Joyful Adhikaar community members clapping at our annual women’s day (Nari Diwas) celebration.

    Our Vision

    Our vision is to build a powerful, diverse and intergenerational community that embraces our whole selves. We lift up and empower immigrants and workers through grassroots organizing and building political power so that all people can lead healthy and dignified lives.

    Support Our Vision