Urmila Chaudhary Honored as 2024 Global Anti-Racism Champion by U.S. Department of State

Urmila Chaudhary, a dedicated advocate for human rights and marginalized communities in Nepal, has been named a 2024 Global Anti-Racism Champion (GARC) by the U.S. Department of State. This prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized castes and ethnic groups in Nepal.

Chaudhary, an Indigenous rights defender and gender and labor activist, has spent years fighting systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia while advocating for equitable access to education, justice, and economic development for oppressed communities. Her work has been instrumental in empowering former Kamlari girls—young domestic laborers who were once subjected to child servitude.

Rescued from child domestic servitude herself at the age of 17, Chaudhary co-founded the Freed Kamlari Development Forum and helped establish 42 cooperatives to uplift and empower former Kamlari girls. She continues her education at the Kathmandu School of Law, further strengthening her ability to combat injustices and advocate for marginalized groups.

The U.S. Department of State honors Chaudhary for her tireless efforts to combat systemic racism and intersectional abuses, making her a true inspiration for human rights defenders in Nepal and beyond.