Peace Gallery inaugurated in Kathmandu to commemorate Nepal's decade-long conflict

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 3: A Peace Gallery is made with an artistic design that contains a complete record of the peace process that ended the 10-year conflict. 

The gallery established by the Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group (WHR) in the Chhahari building in Budhanilkantha-7 was inaugurated in the capital on Monday.

On the occasion, a statue of Aradhayati depicting the sacrifice and contribution of all conflict-affected single women to the peace process was unveiled.

Photographs of activists and warriors, including all Nepali women, who contributed to the establishment of peace during and after the conflict are kept in the gallery. 

In the Pace Gallery, photographs depicting the 10 years of conflict and its impact on Nepali society, the struggle of single women and their contribution to the peace process are displayed.

Speaking on the occasion, Kamala Parajuli, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, said, "It is not possible to describe the irony of being single, Lily Thapa and others have immensely contributed to establishing the Peace Gallery.”

Lily Thapa, Member of the National Human Rights Commission and founder President of WHR, said, "The contribution of women widowed by the conflict in maintaining peace in the society and family and raising children as a single mother has been documented in the Peace Gallery." 

Kabita Pande, Chairperson of the WHR, said that the concept of a peace gallery emerged after visiting the peace gallery of Cambodia.

UN Women Representative to Nepal, Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco Estrada, said that the Nepali single women's group has set an example that unity is the power and expressed the belief that the peace gallery would inspire the entire society and empower women of this generation as well.

Clemens Rossamanith, the Country Coordinator of KURVE Wustrow, a partner organisation for development, said that he felt fortunate for the opportunity to empower Nepali single women.

Felicity Volk, Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, said that this is the gateway into the vibrant and expanding bilateral relationship between Nepal and Australia. 

Mitharam Adhikari, Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality, said that the aim and goal of the collective interest taken by the single women's group was very inspiring. 

Leader Parbati Bisankhe said that she had the opportunity to record her story at the peace gallery and was always committed to working for women's rights.