Learn about Rita Mahato, recipient of the 2014 Per Anger prize to human rights defenders.
Rita Mahato. Photo: Markus Strömqvist.
“I was married off when I was in fifth grade. I would have wanted to stay in school, but my parents had an old-fashioned way of thinking.”
Meet Rita Mahato
"I had to endure so much hate and scorn. I still have scars on my arm after being beaten by my husband’s family."
When I started working for WOREC, I understood that nobody should have to put up with violence. I started discussion groups with women and it became clear that polygamy and violence are everywhere.
"Once I learned that a 40-year-old man had raped an eight-year-old girl in a village. I decided to bring attention to this incident and filed a formal report. The man was arrested and detained. As a result, me and my whole family received death threats."
