Urmila Chaudhary, a prominent social campaigner from Nepal, has been honored with the prestigious Global Anti-Racism Championship Award 2024. The award was presented by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a ceremony held at the Department of State in Washington, D.C..
Award Presentation
- Presented by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
- Ceremony held at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on a Monday.
- Chaudhary was one of six social campaigners from various countries honored at the event.
Recognition of Efforts
- Honored for her commitment to fighting systemic racism and supporting marginalized castes and ethnic communities.
- Recognized for her advocacy for equitable access to education, justice, and economic development.
Remarks from the U.S. Department of State
- “Urmila has shown incredible leadership and commitment to advancing human rights for marginalized castes and ethnic communities in Nepal.”
- Her work is described as “truly inspiring,” especially in combating discrimination and xenophobia.
Background on Urmila Chaudhary
Early Life and Advocacy
- An indigenous rights defender, gender and labor activist.
- Rescued from child domestic servitude (kamlari) at age 17.
- Co-founded the Freed Kamlari Development Forum to support former Kamlari girls.
- Established 42 cooperatives to empower these individuals.
Education
- Currently studying at the Kathmandu School of Law to further her fight against injustice.
Diplomatic Presence
- Acting Nepali Ambassador to America, Kumar Raj Kharel, attended the ceremony.
Global Anti-Racism Champions (GARC) Award
Establishment
- Founded in 2023 to address systemic racism and discrimination on a global scale.
Purpose of the Award
- To honor individuals demonstrating courage, strength, leadership, and commitment to:
- Advancing the human rights of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities.
- Combating systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia.
Focus Areas
- Specifically recognizes contributions made by:
- Members of Indigenous communities.
- People of African descent.
- Individuals fighting against discrimination in their communities.
Nomination Process
- Awardees are nominated by U.S. Embassies and Consulates across the globe, ensuring a diverse range of candidates.
Recognition of Impact
- GARC awardees are acknowledged as outstanding civil society leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective areas.
Significance
- Aims to foster a collective effort to combat racism and promote equality worldwide.
- Highlights the importance of individual efforts in the fight against systemic injustices, inspiring others to take action.
- Recognizes the vital role of community leaders in advocating for the rights and dignity of marginalized groups.
2024 Awardees
- Dintie Sule Tayiru
- Country : Ghana
- Background : A human rights advocate dedicated to promoting the rights and welfare of the Fulbe community.
- Elvis Shakjiri
- Country : North Macedonia
- Background : A Roma human rights activist who works tirelessly to address discrimination and advocate for the rights of the Roma people.
- Urmila Chaudhary
- Country : Nepal
- Background : A Dalit and labor rights activist who has made significant strides in advancing the rights of marginalized castes and ethnic communities. She is also a recipient of the GARC Award for her dedication to combating systemic racism.
- Tanya Duarte
- Country : Mexico
- Background : An Afro-Mexican feminist and anti-racism activist who focuses on empowering marginalized communities and advocating for gender equality.
- Tomasa Yarhui Jacomé
- Country : Bolivia
- Background : An Indigenous political leader and human rights advocate committed to protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and promoting social justice.
- John Leerdam
- Country : Netherlands
- Background : A Black Dutch activist and former parliamentarian known for his advocacy against racism and his efforts to promote equality and human rights in the Netherlands.