Women, Peace and Security Champion Profile: Conflict Victim Women National Network, Nepal
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Individuals and organizations who are championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Asia and the Pacific are being profiled by UN Women – online and in our 2025 calendar – to mark this agenda’s 25th anniversary.
The Conflict Victim Women National Network (CVWN) advocates for justice, empowerment, and equality for women and children affected by the armed conflict in Nepal. We speak with two leaders of the network who are survivors of the conflict: Srijana Shrestha, the Chairperson, and Sabitri Khadka, the Secretary.
Why was your network established?
“Despite the end of the decade-long conflict in Nepal in 2006, women victims found themselves disproportionately affected, socially marginalized, overlooked by policies, and denied their fundamental rights. We realized the Government’s efforts to address our needs were insufficient and, in some cases, perpetuated inequities. Women have remained largely invisible in the justice process.
Today, CVWN brings together over 2,000 women, including those from the most remote areas of the country. We provide a safe and empowering space where women can share their stories and find solidarity.”
What are key milestones for the network in advocating for women’s rights?
“We have fostered dialogue between previously opposing parties during the armed conflict, enabling them to work together in shared forums. This shift from division to collaboration is a milestone in advancing Nepal’s peace process.
A key accomplishment has been our role in coordinating with various entities to ensure the effective implementation of Nepal’s second National Action Plan (NAP II) on Women, Peace and Security for 2022–2025.
Our advocacy has filled gaps. Many women victims, previously silenced by stigma, now have the confidence to speak out against sexual violence. Another part of our advocacy is enabling accountability under various international frameworks, Supreme Court decisions and transitional justice laws.
We secured scholarships for children of missing individuals and orphaned children. We also advocated tirelessly to enable wives of missing individuals to gain property rights, ensuring their economic security. These provisions are now enshrined in the recently amended legislation governing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
What role has the network played in advancing the National Action Plan?
“CVWN representatives were members of the Drafting Committee of the NAP II formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
We’re leading the group of CSOs (civil society organizations) called Victim and Civil Society for Women, Peace and Security, formed in 2023 with 15 CSOs as members for concerted advocacy to implement the current NAP. We have consistently emphasized the importance of including conflict victims in decision-making committees related to NAP II and other mechanisms.”
What are the network’s main challenges and priorities for advancing the women, peace and security agenda?
“The pressing concerns of conflict victim women regarding justice and reparation are yet to be fully addressed through NAP II and transitional justice processes. Political instability, frequent changes in leadership and government personnel, and lack of budget and resources further … hinder the implementation of these critical commitments.
Our priorities include providing capacity-building initiatives for officials to identify needs and collect data on conflict victim women, and enabling the provision of services and reparation of conflict victim women and their families. Extending the timeline of NAP II and developing a comprehensive third NAP to sustain progress are also important. Effective implementation of the transitional justice law that was amended in August 2024 is another priority.”
To learn more, visit CVWN.
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