Founded in 1985, Manavi was the first organization in the U.S to specifically address the unmet needs of South Asian women victims of violence. Initially conceptualized as a consciousness-raising group, Manavi's founders soon realized that South Asian women facing abuse were unable to access services related to violence prevention from mainstream organizations in the U.S owing to cultural, lingual and immigration barriers, among others.

Since its inception several other South Asian organizations have been formed in the U.S along the lines of Manavi. Today, Manavi continues to be a pioneer by championing new strategies for advancing the South Asian women's movement in the U.S and by constantly adapting our service provision to the changing needs of South Asian women living in the U.S.

As a direct service provider, a social change agent within the South Asian community, and a cultural competency educator and diversity trainer in the mainstream movement to end violence against women in the U.S., Manavi simultaneously addresses both the immediate needs of women facing abuse and the long-term vision of establishing peaceful communities free from gender-based violence.