Bhuwan Ribhu, The First Indian Lawyer To Receive World Law Congress Honour For Child Rights
Bhuwan Ribhu received the Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association for his legal battle against child exploitation.
New Delhi(India) May 6: Leading India's campaign against child marriage, trafficking, sexual assault, and forced labour, Bhuwan Ribhu has used the rule of law to remove systemic violence against children. At the World Law Congress 2025 in the Dominican Republic, on May 5, he became the first Indian lawyer to win famous Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association, highlighting his constant efforts on an international level.
The person who won of the prize was a guy who turned India's approach to dealing with child abuse. His work demanded quick, responsible, and planned action, shifting child protection from a welfare issue into a criminal justice one. The award also highlighted India's increasing dedication to child protection, as recent court decisions and more strong government initiatives showed a sincere desire to protect the nation's most vulnerable children.
"The medal belongs to the many who walk the same road," Ribhu said in his address.
" The Medal of Honour marks a deeply humbling milestone in a journey of two decades of love and service to children and society. It is for every parent who found the courage, resilience, and will to seek justice—and for every child whose indomitable spirit defines the future of our shared humanity. We may walk together or apart, but we walk the same path—with one unwavering goal: justice for children, everywhere. This honour is yours.”
Javier Cremades, President of the World Jurist Association said,
“Bhuwan firmly believes that justice is the strongest pillar of democracy and has dedicated his life to the service of justice for children and women who are victims of sexual crimes in his country and globally. His efforts have saved hundreds of thousands of children and women and set legal frameworks that will protect generations to come. This award is a recognition of his tireless work building a safe, more just world for children through the power of the law.”
The World Jurist Association was founded in 1963 and recognises individuals like Winston Churchill, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kerry Kennedy, René Cassin, and Nelson Mandela.
Presidents, prime ministers, judges, prosecutors, ministers, professors, and lawyers are among the jurists who are nominated to receive the Medal of Honour for their work that has an international effect on justice and human rights.
Also, Ribhu has influenced the way Indian courts handle cases involving child marriage, child sexual assault, and child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM). His legal actions have influenced practice and policy, resulting in major advances for children who are at danger. He has built one of the biggest networks of legal child protection in India through Just Rights for Children (JRC), which works in 28 states. The network holds offenders accountable, challenges systemic child abuse, and guarantees justice for survivors. Additionally, Ribhu is an inspiration behind the local campaign known as Child Marriage Free India.
Ribhu took part in the very start of the Child Marriage Free campaign in Nepal and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign in India. A global campaign called Child Marriage Free World, which is operating in 39 countries and brings communities together to protect children from this social crime, is now driven by his efforts to get rid of child marriage.
Aadrika Tayal
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