FAITH — Friends Affected and Infected Together in Hand — is a women-led organization working across Nepal to advance health, dignity, and rights for marginalized communities.
What began as a small peer support network for women living with HIV has grown into a national movement reaching women and communities often left behind by traditional systems.
FAITH was founded in 2005 by women living with HIV who faced stigma, discrimination, and barriers to healthcare. Rather than waiting for support, they created a community built on solidarity, dignity, and collective action. Over the past two decades, FAITH has expanded beyond HIV to address the interconnected challenges affecting marginalized women and communities — including mental health, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, economic empowerment, climate resilience, and access to rights and justice. Today, FAITH works across Nepal through a network of community-based partners, helping women become leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their own communities.
We work to break stigma, advance equality, and protect the rights of marginalized communities. Through community empowerment, advocacy, and local support networks, we help women, children, and vulnerable groups build healthier, safer, and more dignified lives.
Two decades of community-led action, advocacy, and partnership have shaped FAITH's journey toward lasting change.
— Reena Lama, Executive Director, AASTHA FAITH
FAITH founded in Lalitpur by women affected by Nepal's HIV/AIDS crisis, creating a space for solidarity, advocacy, and dignity.
First structured peer support groups established for women living with HIV in Kathmandu Valley.
Pioneered TB screening and treatment protocols for HIV-positive women, later adopted as a national standard.
Expanded outreach to female drug users and female sex workers; established the first Drop-In Centre.
Published formative research on behaviour change communication with FPAN/Global Fund and developed TB-HIV mass media IEC guidelines.
Launched advocacy campaigns to reduce stigma in healthcare settings for PLHIV and FSWs.
Expanded harm reduction programme, reaching 568 people who inject drugs through outreach.
Completed national baseline assessment of injection safety across 78 hospitals, supported by WHO/HQ Geneva.
Strengthened network of community-based organisations across 10 districts.
Launched SRHR advocacy programme targeting women living with HIV and female sex workers.
Formally declared as a women-led organisation, with all decision-making positions designated for women.
Launched a five-year SRHR orientation programme, reaching 6,912 girls and women across 17 districts.
Trained 1,113 local government healthcare providers on SRHR rights across 16 districts.
Assessed and addressed stigma in healthcare settings, training 205 health providers to deliver SRH services without discrimination.
Developed the Safetypin mobile application to improve access to safe abortion information for marginalised women.
Maintained programme continuity through the early COVID-19 period and adapted outreach to community needs.
Provided COVID-19 relief packages to 280 women across 15 districts while continuing SRHR and legal advocacy.
Established a bakery training facility for female sex workers with FREE Fund and launched Phase I economic empowerment programme.
Launched peer mental health model for women in the entertainment sector, reaching 1,007 marginalised women in Lalitpur.
595 women completed financial literacy across 7 districts; 51 youth enrolled in STEM; 1,732 women reached with legal literacy.
FAITH celebrates 20 years: a national network, a proven model, and eight focus areas for the next chapter.
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