A program is held on International Human Rights Day 2025, in Nepal in the context of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The program highlighted the structural roots of violence against women, linking human rights violations to capitalism, patriarchy, imperialism, and neoliberal policies, and reaffirmed the collective demand for social justice, dignity, unity, and solidarity.

Karnali Province was deliberately chosen as the venue for this program, as it is one of the regions in Nepal most affected by violence against women, including social and cultural violence such as chhaupadi, discrimination, poverty, and exclusion. The program aimed to amplify the voices of women peasants and rural women who are most impacted by these injustices.

The program was organized by the World March of Women National Coordination Body, Nepal, in local coordination with the All Nepal Peasants’ Federation and the Karnali Province Coordination Committee. The collaboration reflected strong grassroots organizing and feminist-peasant solidarity in the province.

Around 100 women peasants from 10 districts of Karnali Province participated in the program. Participants also included local rural women, leaders of All Nepal Peasants’ Federation, and members of women’s movements and social organizations actively working on human rights, food sovereignty, and gender justice.

The program was graced by the presence of:

• Mr. Chandra Bahadur Shahi, Former Minister of Agriculture of Karnali Province
• Ms. Kalyani Khadka, Member of Parliament, Karnali Provincial Government

Their participation enabled direct interaction between grassroots women and provincial-level policymakers. The program began with a rally organized by women peasants and rural women. Participants carried banners and placards raising strong slogans against violence against women, capitalism, patriarchy, imperialism, and neoliberalism, while demanding human rights, social justice, dignity, unity, and solidarity.

The rally visibly demonstrated women’s collective resistance and their call for systemic change to address the root causes of inequality and violence in society.

Following the rally, an interaction program was held, creating a space for dialogue between women peasants, All Nepal Peasants’ Federation leaders, and provincial representatives. Women participants shared their lived experiences of gender-based violence, economic exploitation, land and resource insecurity, and harmful cultural practices such as chhaupadi.

Speakers emphasized that violence against women cannot be addressed without challenging unjust economic and political systems. The discussion highlighted the need to:

• ⁠End all forms of violence against women, including social and cultural violence
• Recognize women peasants’ rights and contributions to food systems
• Promote feminist, rights-based, and people-centered development models
• Ensure strong implementation of laws and policies at the provincial and local levels

The invited guests acknowledged the severity of women’s rights violations in Karnali Province and expressed commitment to addressing these issues through inclusive and gender-just policies.

The celebration of International Human Rights Day 2025 in Karekhola, Birendranagar, Surkhet, was a powerful expression of feminist and peasant resistance. Organized within the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women, the program reaffirmed that women’s rights, peasants’ rights, and human rights are inseparable.

Participants collectively committed to continue organizing, strengthening unity and solidarity, and resisting systems of oppression in order to build a society based on justice, dignity, equality, and human rights for all.