Background and Early Life

Kaushila Chaudhary was born into a Kamaiya (bonded-laborer) family in the western region of Nepal. From a young age, she experienced the hardships of bonded labor, working as a Kamlari (bonded laborer) for sixteen years before she gained her freedom.

Advocacy and Human Rights Work

After being freed, Kaushila Chaudhary became actively involved in the human rights movement. She dedicated herself to the cause of liberating all Kamlari girls, advocating for the abolition of the practice, and supporting the rehabilitation of those who had been freed. Her efforts focused on ending discrimination and gender-based violence against former Kamaiyas in Nepal.

N-Peace Award and Recognition

In recognition of her tireless work, Kaushila Chaudhary was honored with the N-Peace Award in 2015. The N-Peace award program, established and managed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, annually acknowledges influential peace builders who champion women’s issues in conflict-affected areas of Asia.

Honoring in the United States

In 2016, the Tharu Families Association (TFA) collaborated with the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Illinois Chapter and the Chicagoland Tharu Society (CTS) to honor Kaushila Chaudhary and Sharmila Thapa at a program held in Chicago, Illinois.