Sona Khatik Profile

Sona Khatik is a dedicated founding member of the Just Futures Pahal (JFP) Board of Directors. She is a passionate advocate for social justice and a seasoned radio journalist, focusing extensively on issues of caste-based sexual violence, atrocities, and broader social justice concerns. Sona’s work particularly highlights the experiences of Madhesi Dalit women in Nepal, offering a unique and profound perspective shaped by her own experiences as a Madhesi Dalit woman.

With a background as the first Madhesi Dalit Woman Station Manager for Radio Nepal in Kapilvastu, Sona brings a wealth of practical experience to her advocacy. She holds a Master’s degree in Media Technology and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. Proficient in multiple languages including Awadhi, Tharu, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Bangla, Maithali, and English, Sona possesses a diverse linguistic skill set that enables her to engage effectively with caste-related issues both within Nepal and beyond. Sona’s impactful work has garnered recognition on an international scale. In 2018, she was honored by the World Bank as one of the inspiring heroes. Her story as a survivor and fighter against sexual violence was featured in an Al Jazeera article titled “What’s behind Caste violence in Nepal” in 2022.

Since the inception of the Just Futures Initiative at the Samata Foundation in 2021, Sona has played a pivotal role in managing all aspects of the Just Futures Fellowship program, which has now become the flagship initiative at JFP. At the behest of the Board of Directors, Sona currently serves as the primary Director responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of JFP, showcasing her leadership and commitment to advancing social justice issues.