Pratima Gurung is an assistant professor at Padmakanya College and assists in the overall effective execution of NIDWAN. She serves as an expert on the National Disability Direction Committee under the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Government of Nepal. Ms Gurung is currently the General Secretary of the Indigenous Peoples with Disabilities Global Network. Ms. Gurung has been advancing the rights of women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups through governance, inclusion, and an intersectional lens from the local to global level. She has been associated as an expert and advisory member to several human rights and marginalized groups organizations at the global level. She has received the National Human Rights Award from NHRC Nepal in 2022 and the Human Rights and Environmental Award from the United Nations in 2023.

Selina Nakarmi is an environmentalist with a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Tribhuvan University. She has over five years of experience in wildlife management, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and environmental advocacy with a passion for social justice. She works with NIDWAN to empower women, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities through capacity building and training. She played a key role in COVID-19 relief efforts in Sindhupalchowk, supporting marginalized individuals, groups, and communities. Her involved in long-term research with Portland State University and Tribhuvan University’s Anthropology Department and contributes to the NSF Nepal Critical Transition Project, focusing on environmental anthropology and disaster studies. Her interests extend to environmental ecology and event management through an accessibility and equity lens, where she fosters engagement for a sustainable future.

Ms. Shreejala Maharjan is a young, ambitious individual with a Master degree background in Environmental Science. She engages herself in youth, women  and environmental and climate change issues including reporting and documentation at NIDWAN. She has experiences in peer support and counselling, social change and promoting diversity and inclusion in her work.

Mr. Karma Maharjan has been NIDWAN’s Senior Admin and Finance Officer since 2020, bringing over 23 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, and monitoring. With a background spanning NGOs like Pact Nepal, Spiny Babbler, and World Vision Advocacy Forum, as well as private enterprises, his expertise ensures effective financial stewardship at NIDWAN. He supports  the organisation’s mission, particularly in empowering indigenous women with disabilities through transparent and efficient financial practices.

Ruvi Rana has been volunteering with Nidwan since March 2025. As a young fresher, she is responsible and dedicated. She loves the creation of Mother Earth and seeks to connect with nature, always eager to explore more in life. Above all, she is an enthusiastic learner with positive energy, and her happy color is blue.

I am Badal lama prepared to be called Safal Lama (pronouns: they/them) a Queer Indigenous disabled person. I have been raising the issue of creating an equitable space for all people, especially marginalized communities. As a queer disability rights activist and mental health practitioner who prioritize intersectionality and the unique fights for queer disabled people. They advocated for sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), gender equality, social disability inclusion with an intersectionality lens, and combating mental health stigma for five years in multi-identity rights campaigns all over Kathmandu and Nepal. Their capabilities are in public speaking, event production, communication strategies, and mobilization of support for important causes. They want to learn and grow, and so they search for opportunities to broaden their horizon of knowledge and strengthen their community.

I am Muna Shakya with a physical disability, a fellow of the National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN), belonging to the Newar community, and I am currently studying a Master’s degree in Sociology. Since joining the NIDWAN in 2019, I have been dedicated to advocating for the rights of Indigenous women and girls with disabilities with an intersectionality lens.

Ms. Dipika Lama is currently president of Madesh Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (MIDWAN) and she has been advancing the rights on Indigenous, Madesh, Dalit marginalised women with disabilities in Madesh province. She has been pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) from Model Purbanchal College, Purbanchal University. She has recently done Youth in Policy and Governance Fellowship in March 2024 and is currently a part of Advocacy Institute (AAI) Cohort II of Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women under NIDWAN. 

Ms. Ayati Maya Gurung is a humble and joyful individual who serves a secretarial role at  National Indigenous Disabled Association – Nepal by supporting the office by maintaining the office cleanliness, looking after office equipment , and  preparing healthy and nutritious lunches for the whole team each day. Her hobbies are cooking and gardening.