Asian-American Women’s Empowerment Festival Successfully Concluded in New York, Honoring Distinguished Chandani Joshi and Other Inspiring Women
New York– The Asian-American Women’s Empowerment Festival, held in celebration of Women’s History Month, provided a special platform to unite community leaders, activists, and changemakers to honor women’s achievements and discuss the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
The event, organized by the Apan Foundation in collaboration with the Nepali Women’s Global Network (NWGN) and other Asian-American organizations, notably honored Chandani Joshi, a leading gender rights activist and former UN Women South Asia Regional Director. She was presented with esteemed proclamations and awards by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar, and Assemblymember Steven Raga.
The festivity was hosted and coordinated by 18-year-old youth leader and chair of the Apan Foundation’s Youth/Student Welfare Committee, Pragya Panthi, who welcomed guests and provided an overview of the day’s program. Following her introduction, Amit Pratap Shah, founder and Executive Director of Apan Foundation and Mithila Center USA, delivered the formal welcome remarks.
The Intersection of Art, Culture, and Sustainable Development:
During his welcome remarks, Shah spoke about the interconnections between art, culture, and sustainable development. He mentioned the Mithila Heritage Exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in 2019 and the launch of the Art for SDGs campaign under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Mithila art is not just a cultural expression; it’s a powerful medium for social change,” Shah emphasized. “It is a particularly effective way to create economic opportunities for marginalized women.”
Honoring an Inspirational Life:
Following the welcome speech, Dr. Vidya Manandhar, an advisor to the Nepali Women’s Global Network, introduced Chandani Joshi, discussing her contributions to gender equality, the rights of domestic workers, and women’s empowerment.
“At NWGN, we are committed to leadership development, creating opportunities, and amplifying the voices of Nepali women globally,” Dr. Manandhar stated.
A special video presentation on Chandani Joshi’s contributions was also shown during the event.
Chandani Joshi’s Inspirational Message:
Upon taking the stage, Chandani Joshi delivered a powerful keynote speech emphasizing the unfinished fight for gender equality. “We have come a long way, but our journey is not yet over,” she said. “Women’s rights are not just confined to policies or laws; it’s about changing mindsets, breaking barriers, and providing opportunities for every woman.”
Discussing the impact of Mithila art on women’s empowerment, she connected it to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“Mithila art carries the stories of our ancestry, our struggles, and our victories. It is a strong means of making women economically self-sufficient.”
Formal Honor Ceremony:
During the formal recognition ceremony, the following American leaders presented certificates to honor Chandani Joshi:
•Senator Chuck Schumer
•New York State Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar
•New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga
The honor ceremony was facilitated by Amit Pratap Shah, a member of the Queens Community Board and an elected member of the New York City Public School Leadership Team (SLT).
Honoring Other Women Leaders:
Pragya Panthi continued the program by announcing the women receiving the 2025 Asian-American Women Empowerment Award:
•Dr. Priya Rimaal – Medical Director, North Hudson Community Action Corporation.
•Dr. Pushpa Acharya Kafle – Family Nurse Practitioner, NYU Langone Medical Center, and founding vice president of the Nepali American
Nurses Association (NANA).
•Dolma Lama – District Director, Office of New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga.
•Shivangi Singh – Mithila painting artist and Coordinator of Mithila Center USA, New Jersey.
•Sumi Sarker – Founder and Executive Director, Bengali Interfaith Youth Empowerment Inc. (BIYE)
•Tandeep Kaur Sahni – U.S. Senate strategist and Managing Director of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP New York).
•Chering Diki – Founder and Executive Director, New York Tibetan Service Center (NYTSC)
Each honoree reflected on their gratitude for the recognition in brief remarks.
“This honor is not just an achievement; it is a responsibility,” one honoree remarked.
Conclusion and Acknowledgments:
At the end of the program, Pragya Panthi delivered closing remarks, reaffirming the importance of women’s leadership, inspiration, and social contribution. Following this, Amit Pratap Shah extended gratitude to all attendees and participants, ensuring the day’s powerful messages would resonate and uplift the community moving forward.
