Ruth Manorama

Ruth Manorama (* 1952 in Madras ) is an Indian women's rights activist . She received the Right Livelihood Award in 2006.

biography

Ruth Manorama was born in Madras in 1952, she belongs to the Dalit (“untouchable”) caste . She and her parents converted to Christianity to partially escape the disadvantages of the caste system. She graduated from Chennai University with a degree in social work in 1975 and has since worked for the rights of “untouchable” women.

The discrimination against Dalit women results from their status as women , members of the lowest caste and belonging to the poorest class of Indian society. Manorama is committed to mobilizing and networking Dalit women across the country.

Awards

• 2006: Right Livelihood Award for "their decades of commitment to the equality of Dalit women, for the establishment of effective women's organizations and for their commitment at national and international level in the fight for women's rights"

Web links

• Ruth Manorama (English)
• Portrait at rightlivelihoodaward.org (English)