IF people don’t stand together in solidarity and defend their rights, they will get trampled on.

These are the words of one local activist who has been recognised by one of the world’s leading human rights charities, Amnesty International.

Rodbourne resident Kate Linnegar has for the past five years been leading the charge for a fairer society, defending the rights of minorities and calling for an end to what she has described as the government’s “crippling” and “damaging” austerity programme.

And Kate’s efforts have now been officially recognised by Amnesty International as this week she was named a ‘human rights defender’ as part of the charity’s Suffragette Spirit project.

“It’s very humbling to receive something like this,” she said. “I was thrilled when I found out. It’s very nice when people acknowledge the work you do.”

To coincide with International Women’s Day, which was celebrated across the world on Thursday, Amnesty scoured the country to find female human rights defenders they deemed worthy of recognition and celebrated their work by creating a special Suffragette Spirit Map.

In tribute to Kate, a statement from Amnesty reads: “Kate campaigns for social equality and refugee solidarity in Swindon.

“She has worked to protect children’s centres, libraries and the NHS, and has raised the plight of homelessness and mental health issues. She has organised marches, talks and demonstrations to encourage people to get involved.”

“The suffragette spirit is alive and well in the UK today,” a spokesman from the charity said.

“Women across the UK are still fighting for our rights. They stand up to racism, say no to sexism, call out homophobia, challenge corruption, help the vulnerable and much more.”

Kate said that although she was moved to have been recognised in such a way, she was, essentially, just “doing my job”.

Speaking about the challenges that come with political engagement, she said: “Activism isn’t easy. You have to stick your head above the parapet and shout loudly, which can be hard if, like me, it is against your nature.”

She spoke movingly about the need for people to stick together in solidarity and the social good that can be achieved with collective action.

“It’s important that we speak out for people who don’t have a voice, but it’s also vital to give people their own voice, so they may in turn speak up for others.”

Amnesty’s official definition of a human rights defender consists of “a person who, individually or in association with others acts to defend, promote and protect human rights at local, national, regional or international levels”.

Asked to share a few words of advice with young people cautiously considering taking up the torch of activism, Kate said: “Try to socialise with people as much as possible. Get out there and meet people for a coffee or a beer and engage with them at every opportunity.”

One of the world’s greatest liberators once said that to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. And it is Nelson Mandela’s words that sit at the heart of Kate’s activism, and that of thousands of people like her.

The Suffragettes were, according to Amnesty, “ordinary women who stopped at nothing to get their voices heard”.