Rita Mahato (Nepali: रीता महतो) is a Nepali women's rights activist. She works for the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) and received the Per Anger Prize in 2014.
Early life
Rita Mahato was subject to a forced marriage at the age of 14. She had her first child one year later and experienced domestic violence from her spouse.
Career
Mahato works for the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Siraha district. The group assists survivors of sexual violence. In June 2007, after WOREC had supported two survivors of rape, some members of the local community intimidated Mahato. The office where Mahato worked was attacked and she was seriously threatened by a group of men. She was then supported by the International Federation for Human Rights, the World Organisation Against Torture and Amnesty International.
Mahato received the Per Anger Prize in 2014 for her activism against sexual violence. She won 15,000 euros, which she said she would put towards founding an old people's home.
References
- ^ "Mahato receives 'Per Anger Award' for defending rights of VAW victims". Kathmandu Post. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Nepal's government fails to protect women human rights activists". Refworld. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Nepal: Threats and acts of harassment against WOREC members / June 11, 2007 / Urgent Interventions / Human rights defenders / OMCT". www.omct.org. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ "Nepal: Act now for Rita Mahato". www.amnesty.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- "2014: Rita Mahato". Forum för levande historia. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.