4 February 2006 - Shantimalika (Women's network for peace) organised a peace rally of women in Kathmandu (Nepal). This is their report.

More than 2 500 women and men were involved with their traditional dresses, many carrying music instruments.

There have been a number of marches and rallies in Nepal recently, but most have been violent against the government of King Gyanendra, who seized executive power on 1 February 2005.

Shantimalika organised a peaceful rally and thousands of women have provided an example that without any vulgar slogans, without throwing stones and without noise, people can still convey their feelings.

The rally visited many streets of the cities, which were not restricted for demonstration by the government.

More than 40 organisations were involved in the preparation of this event. After the rally, we urged all parties in conflict to join the peace dialogue, to protect the rights to life of the people, to stop the abductions, arrests and arbitrary detentions and give to the women, men and children a life without physical and psychological torture.

_____________________________________________________________