This campaign, aims to enhance the capacity of community to take leadership for promoting culture of peace and human rights.
21-23 September, 2006
Katmandu
Various organizations working on the issue of peace, democracy, human security and social justice came together to collectively celebrate the International Day of Peace on the 21st of September 2006 in Kathmandu. The day kicked off with the peacewomen exhibition celebrating and recognizing the work of 1000 peacewomen from the world over that had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005. Nominating of the 1000 women was initiated by the global initiative PeaceWomen Across the Globe. With the belief that peace should be conceptualized in a more holistic way, we chose September 21st to start the PeaceWomen exhibition. We see ‘peace’ as a concept and reality that is not just an opposite to war and conflict, but one that is reflected in the way we look at our environment, our health, our educational system, the way we look at children’s and women’s rights and the aspirations of young and old people, the physically and mentally challenged, the way our justice system works and the portrayal of life through different kinds of media and more. We see peace as a phenomenon that is all-encompassing of life in its different hues, and extending to all that human beings are part of creating.
Hence, the main objectives of the exhibition were:
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Inauguration
The exhibition was inaugurated by 13 women activists by lighting oil lamps together. Four community women activists from the Nepali grassroots: Thanking Mehta, Nebula Khan, Hawaii Pudasaini and Rita Maharaja, six South Asian women activists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, along with South Asian peacewomen Dr. Barbara Nat-Wiser, Sahara Parham, Kamala Basin co-chair PWAG, inaugurated the event. The purpose was to make the exhibition a collective effort and inclusive and build solidarity among women working at grassroots, national, regional and international levels. Kamala Basin who is the Co-Chair of the global initiative Peace Women across the Globe spoke on the occasion about women’s role in peace building. Reno Rajbhandari spoke about the grassroots level peacewomen in Nepal and their tireless work for justice and peace. Then a film on peacewomen from India entitled: “Redefining Peace: Women Lead the Way” produced by SANGAT was shown. This one hour documentary showcases the history of the 1000 Women for Nobel Peace Prize 2005 initiative and profiles 10 peacewomen from different regions of India, connected to various people’s movements namely Marline Peter from the Fish workers movement, Media Parker from Armada Bache Angolan, Test Staved, lawyer-journalist and her struggle against the fascist state and fundamentalist political forces. Produced by SANGAT and Visual Aids Productions and directed by renowned activist filmmaker K.P. Sassy from India. The film has English narration and subtitles. The documentary features C.K.Janu who is struggling for rights of indigenous people and advises in Karalla, Smarmily Iron, and a young woman who is using non-violent mechanism to challenge and demand repeal of draconian laws in North East India. The film highlights the work of four grassroots women Lateen Sachem, Praveen Save, Azkaban Janis, Methuen Samaria from Ketch Manila Vices Sang than, Gujarat and their struggle for sustainable health, education and livelihoods for masses. The audience liked this film very much.
This was followed by “Rhythms of Peace”, a musical performance by KUTUMBA, an activist music group. KUTUMBA was part of the April 2006 people’s movement in Nepal that was able to oust the King from power and bring some hope of democracy in Nepal. Cucumber's music was part of the people’s movement everyday protests and demonstrations.
Media Coverage of the Peace Event
Mainstream media covered the event well. Manipur, the leading Nepali daily and Kathmandu Post, the leading English daily in Nepal that has massive country wide circulation had front page pictures of the peace event. Similarly, Himalayan Times covered the event highlighting the holistic notion of peace and women’s work. A press statement prepared for the event was sent to all the media related organizations and people.
Nepal FM, a popular FM station in Kathmandu interviewed Ms. Kamala Basin about the peace event and the peacewomen notion of holistic peace. Eastern Nepal FM also did a long interview with Kamala Basin. Similarly, a fifteen minute interview with the Nepal television, which is the national TV station, has taken our concept of peace to far and deep corners of Nepal.
Peace March
The celebration culminated in a peace march through Kathmandu city. It was a long and much disciplined silent peace march by over 400 people from different Coos and individual peace lovers that went from BICC New Baneshwor to the Shanty Mandela in Maitighar. The peace marchers ended at the march at 7.30 by lighting candles.
Continuation of Peace day celebrations: 22 and 23 September
The peace exhibition was shifted to another location, Karakul on September 22 and 23. Two documentary screenings and a theatre performance by Harahan on the play by Epson were other highlights of these two days along with the exhibition.
The documentary Grunge Pahilahura captured the youth in action that were key propellers of the April 2006 people’s movement in Nepal which became a turning point in Nepal’s history to oust the monarch. The documentary was appreciated by all. Similarly the other documentary on women’s role in sustainable peace building opened up a discussion on women’s contribution to peace and in present Nepal scenario, the need for women to be part of the peace talks and negotiations.
The play entitled: The Doll’s House by Norwegian playwright Epson became a prime highlight attracting around 400 people to come for the exhibition and the play at Karakul. The play captured sentiment of a
The co-organizers
SANGAT, WOREC, PeaceWomen across the Globe, Stir Shanty, Youth Initiative, Youth Action, Blue Diamond Society, FEDO, AAROHAN (GURUKUL), and Defend Human Rights Movement-Nepal (DHRMN).
The diverse group of co-organizers clearly reflects the holistic notion of peace, that whether we are working on health issues or labor issues, or whether we are working with sexual minorities or women, peace can only be attained when there is a collective effort and that all aspects of comprehensive human security is included for peace.