WPD-Nepal organized a peace rally on May 23, 2025, in Ward No. 8 of Shivapuri Rural Municipality. This event was part of a global initiative to raise awareness in support of the United Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which aims to prevent the illicit use of these weapons. The peace rally aimed to educate people about the significant dangers associated with small arms and light weapons, emphasizing the harm they can cause when in the wrong hands. WPD-Nepal, in collaboration with the women members of the Self-Help Groups, organized this rally in Shivapuri Rural Municipality. 

The rally was led by an enthusiastic Women’s Band (members of women’s groups) with Nepali folk instruments- Naumati Baja, which includes nine different types of instruments. The rally was participated by 145 people who marched with placards that had slogans against violence, weapons, arms, and bullets, and messages about peace and harmony; (Controlling small arms is our shared responsibility, Small arms, big problems, We stand for peace, Peace and security are everyone’s rights, Control small arms establish peace, Let’s unite for peace, Let’s build a society free from gun violence, The journey to peace begins not with weapons, but with cooperation, Where weapons fire humanity cries) The rally with started from Ward no 8, Shivapuri Rural Municipality, Thanapati, and following the roads towards Thapagaun, Saptari, Dumre, and reached our final destination, Sundhara Devi School. The 3-hour-long peace rally ended on the grounds of Sundhara Devi School, and the masses participated in a general meeting. The general meeting was attended by Shivapuri Rural Municipality Chair Mr. Govinda Thapaliya, Vice Chair, Mr. Bir Bahadur Tamang, Ward-7 Chair Mr. Bir Bahadur Tamang, Ward-8 member Bharat Kumari Thapa, Sundhara Devi School Principal, Mr. Mahendra Pandey, and WPD Nepal Executive Chair Ms. Shobha Pradhan Shrestha. Ms. Kamala Thapaliya, field supervisor of Ward no 8, Nuwakot, facilitated the general meeting.