#Dominican Republic #Santo Domingo #Just Rights for Children #Bhuwan Ribhu #Child Marriage

Bhuwan Ribhu Receives Prestigious Award

In May 2025, Bhuwan Ribhu, the founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC), was awarded the Medal of Honour by the World Jurist Association (WJA) during the World Law Congress held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ribhu is a prominent activist devoted to fighting child marriage and child trafficking. This recognition comes amidst the participation of over 1500 jurists and 300 esteemed speakers from more than 70 countries at the congress.

A Dedicated Advocate for Children's Rights

Founded by Ribhu, JRC has emerged as a leader in addressing the grave issues of child marriage and human trafficking through legal intervention and grassroots mobilization. With over two decades of unwavering commitment, Ribhu’s legal expertise has contributed to significant reforms aimed at safeguarding children's rights. His work has made a lasting impact on millions, providing both immediate assistance and fostering an environment for long-term change.

Ribhu’s acceptance speech at the ceremony resonated with the audience as he passionately stated, "Children should never have to fight for justice alone. The law must be their shield, and justice must be their right." This compelling message reflects his view of the law as a powerful tool to protect vulnerable children against exploitation.

Impact Statistics Reflecting Success

Under Ribhu's leadership, the JRC network has made noteworthy achievements, with reported statistics illustrating the scale of their success:

• - Over 85,000 children rescued from trafficking
• - More than 300,000 child marriages prevented
• - Support provided to over 34,000 survivors of child sexual abuse through legal and psychosocial assistance
• - Legal actions taken against more than 54,000 child traffickers

Ribhu emphasized that these figures represent real lives transformed and futures restored, affirming, "These numbers are not just statistics—they are lives saved, futures restored, and a resolve to stand up for our children."

Global Advocacy through Legal Empowerment

JRC stands as the largest coalition of civil society organizations working across various criminal and social justice systems worldwide, including India, Nepal, Kenya, and the United States. The organization strives for a comprehensive approach by integrating legal interventions with community outreach. Ribhu has inspired a wave of legal innovations that empower local communities to safeguard children’s rights and advocate against harmful practices such as child marriage and trafficking.

At the medal award ceremony, Javier Cremades, the President of the WJA, praised Ribhu’s relentless dedication to justice, stating, "Bhuwan firmly believes that justice is the strongest pillar of democracy and has devoted his life to combating sexual crimes against children and women globally. His efforts have saved countless lives and instituted legal frameworks intended to protect future generations. This award recognizes his relentless commitment to fostering a safer, more equitable society for our children through the law."

Conclusion

Bhuwan Ribhu’s recognition at the World Law Congress not only honors his personal journey and dedication but also shines a light on the ongoing fight against child marriage and related crimes. His steadfast advocacy provides hope for a future where every child can enjoy their rights without fear of exploitation. With continued support and activism, the ambitions of Just Rights for Children and their founder will ideally influence significant cultural shifts and legal protections for children around the globe.