9 Nepali women in Nobel Peace-Prize list

Marking the 100th anniversary of the first woman winning the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, 1,000 women worldwide, including 9 Nepalis, have been nominated for the prominent award.

According to reports, Nepali women from rural and grassroots levels that have been promoting non-violent responses to conflict situations and structural injustices have been nominated for the award.

Kamala Bhasin, one of the coordinators of the unique selection committee for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005 in South Asia, said that names of the candidates would be made public amid a press conference in their respective countries Wednesday, reports said.

The declaration will be made demanding recognition for their contribution to peace building.

“One thousand is a symbol. It is a symbol of saying peace is not a dramatic activity but is rather something accomplished bit by bit. Peace is not an individual act. No one can make peace alone,” reports quoted Bhasin as saying on Tuesday.

During 2004, nominees were sought from across the globe with the help of the 20 coordinators. Reports said that international project team, on October, selected the 1000 women from over 2,000 from 153 countries.

A total of 147 women from the SAARC region have been nominated for the award which includes 91 Indian, 19 Pakistani, 16 Bangladeshi, 12 Sri-lankans and 9 Nepalis.

In 105-year-old history of the Nobel peace prize, only five women have received the award so far. nepalnews.com pd June 28 05