Rita Mahato

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.[1]

Career

Mahato works for the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Siraha district. The group assists survivors of sexual violence.[2] In June 2007, after WOREC had supported two survivors of rape, some members of the local community intimidated Mahato.[3] The office where Mahato worked was attacked and she was seriously threatened by a group of men.[4] She was then supported by the International Federation for Human Rights, the World Organisation Against Torture and Amnesty International.[4][3]

Mahato received the Per Anger Prize in 2014 for her activism against sexual violence.[5] She won 15,000 euros, which she said she would put towards founding an old people's home.[1]

References
  1. "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.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. "Nepal: Act now for Rita Mahato". www.amnesty.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. "2014: Rita Mahato". Forum för levande historia. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
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