Cultural Survival Program Council member Stella Tamang has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Tamang, a leader in Nepal’s indigenous and women’s rights movements, was among 1,000 women who were nominated jointly on June 28 by the organization 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize.
A member of the Tamang, one of Nepal’s largest indigenous groups, Stella Tamang is the chair and a founder of the South Asian Indigenous Women’s Forum. She has published academic work about Tamang women and is a frequent presenter at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In addition to her work on women’s rights, Tamang founded Bikalpa Gyan Kedra, an organization that works to eradicate child labor among the Tamang by offering alternative educational opportunities.
The 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize project, started in Switzerland in
2003, is an effort to recognize the peace-keeping work of women around the
world. Since the Nobel Peace Prize was first distributed in 1901, 80 men and
only 11 women have won the honor. The organization plans to publish a book
later this year showcasing the accomplishments of the 1,000 nominees.
