Stories, Struggle, and Celebration: The Joy That Sustains Our Movement
March 13, 2026
Thank you to the over 500+ community members, partners and allies who joined us to celebrate Nari Diwas, International Women’s Day, on Sunday, March 8th,. From elders who have been part of Adhikaar since the beginning to Steering Committee Chairs and youth, hailing from across the five boroughs, upstate, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, the energy was electric.
Here are some highlights:
Keynote Speaker, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha, the first New York State legislator of Nepali origin,said, “I was taught that the U.S. is the land of the free. But I’ve learned, through organizing and public service, that democracy is something we practice.”
On the youth panel, Devashish Basnet (New York Immigration Coalition) and Shreeya Tuladhar (Minority Empowerment Network) spoke, with their mothers in the audience, embodying this year’s Nari Diwas theme, “Built by Our Mothers, Led by Our Youth.”Nawal Rai (Asian Refugees United) and Pema Genkhang (New York State Comptroller’s Office) shared their experiences growing up as refugees in Nepal and India and how this inspired their careers in social justice. The conversation, moderated by Adhikaar youth leader Tashi Sherpa, highlighted the resilience, leadership, and vision of the next generation.
Adhikaar also showcased a video that paid tribute to the many people who invested in the community over the past two decades. You can see more highlights on our social media feed.
Thank you to the volunteers, partners, and allies who joined us, including: Congresswoman Grace Meng; Assembly Members Catalina Cruz, Jessica González-Rojas, Council Member Shekar Krishnan; and Deputy Commissioner Jagpreet Singh from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, along with representatives from the offices of Council Member Julie Won and Assembly Members Steven Raga and Claire Valdez.
Adhikaar is proud to be the only organization serving Nepali-speaking and Himalayan community in the United States founded and led by women, and we are growing because of you. At a time when women’s lives and choices are under attack, this gathering was a testament to the power of organizing, sharing stories and struggles, and dancing, because every movement needs joy to sustain the fight.