KATHMANDU: Nepali social activist Urmila Chaudhary has received the ‘Global Anti-Racism Championship Award’ in the United States. The award was presented by US Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken during a ceremony on Monday.

Chaudhary, a former kamalari—an indentured laborer—began working at the age of six and was rescued at 17, after which she received an education.

Now a law graduate, she advocates for the voiceless and works on women’s empowerment through 30 cooperative groups.

The US State Department highlighted her efforts in supporting marginalized communities and combating exploitation as reasons for the award.

Chaudhary has been a courageous leader in the fight for human rights.

The event was also attended by Kumar Raj Kharel, Nepal’s Charge D’affaires to the USA. Last year, the award was given to Saraswati Nepali.