Two Nepali women have won the N-peace award 2015, a regional prize handed out to advocates of women's rights.

Sharmila Thapa, founder of Samida Women Development Forum (SWDF), a network of single mothers and survivors of domestic violence and Kaushila Chaudhary, an inspirational anti-slavery activist, have been awarded the awards.

Thapa, who herself is a single mother of a son and newly adopted daughter said the award has given her more strength. “I was honoured to be nominated and I am even more honoured to have won the award,” she said, “This award has encouraged me to work more towards a group that is greatly discriminated by society.”

Chaudhary, who is a leader for peace and social equality in the far western region of Nepal, spent her life as bonded labour also known as ‘Kamaiya system’. She is now free and involved in the Kamaiya Freedom Movement. She also works for the rehabilitation of Kamaiya affected people in Nepal.

Thapa won the award for “Untold stories” category whereas Chaudhary won the award in “Campaigning for Action” category.

After an online, public vote to determine the finalists and careful deliberation by N-Peace network’s selection panellists, the award winners were decided. The award is handed to 10 people in South Asia. Thapa and Chaudhary will be attending the award ceremony in New York in October.