Our Power is Our Voice

YOUTH INITIATIVE

IBJ awarded an extraordinary group of young individuals to implement change in their communities, aiding children in conflict with the law. 29 Youth Justice Champions launched projects in 11 countries in 2020, and 22 Youth Charter defenders launched projects in 7 countries in 2023.
Discover where they are:

Map of our Youth Justice Charter Defenders. Click on one of the markers to see more info about them.

YOUTH INITIATIVE

Our Impact in 2020

The Youth Champions initiative, launched in 2020, have delivered:

  • Provision of legal aid to 10 children in pre-trial detention, some for over a year. All have now been released.
  • Met with incarcerated minors three times a week in Douala Central Prison.
  • Providing assistance in the Douala town tribunal 4 times a week
  • Facilitating educative and rehabilitative discussions with incarcerated children
  • Thanks to their intervention 10 children have been released and are able to return to school and their families, they are also promoting a change in culture in Doulala to one that values rehabilitative justice, and supports second chances.

Youth Justice Charter Defenders 2023

In 2023, the Youth Justice Charter Initiative was launched. Written by youth for youth, IBJ’s Youth Justice Charter demands that every child around the world has essential legal and human rights outlined in the document’s 10 articles. 22 Youth Charter Defenders have been empowered and are working on projects to implement the charter globally.

Countries with youth projects

In 2023, there are approximately 200 children detained in Burundi, double the amount registered in 2000. Since 2020, we have launched 10 projects in Burundi to advocate for youth justice.
Burundi
BurundiLearn More!.
Cameroon does not have a separate justice system for minors. In 2020, we launched a project to advocate for improvements to juvenile justice in Cameroon.
Cameroon
CameroonLearn More!.
In 2014, Columbia had the second highest percentage of incarcerated youths in Latin America, a notably high percentage of which are women. In 2020, we supported 2 projects in Colombia to advocate for juvenile justice.
Colombia
ColombiaLearn More!.
In 2021, 2.3% of the DRC's prison population were minors. Since 2020, we have launched 11 projects in the DRC to increase awareness for juvenile justice and support children in conflict with the law.
The Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of CongoLearn More!.
Youth detention is not an issue that gains a lot of traction in India. Since 2020, we have launched 6 projects in India to raise awareness for juvenile justice.
India
IndiaLearn More!.
In 2022, minors constituted 0.6% of Indonesia's prison population. In 2023, we supported a project to provide legal protection for juveniles in conflict with the law in Indonesia.
Indonesia
IndonesiaLearn More!.
Myanmar's domestic political unrest has led to an increase in violations of Child Rights. In 2023, we launched a project to support juvenile justice in Myanmar.
Myanmar
MyanmarLearn More!.
There is a gross deficiency in the justice administration in Nigeria as it pertains to detained minors, who do not have access to legal counsel or know their rights. Since 2020, we have supported 4 projects to advocate for juvenile justice in Nigeria.
Nigeria
NigeriaLearn More!.
In 2020, 1.6% of Pakistan's prison population were minors. In 2020, we supported a project to increase awareness about juvenile detention and Child Rights.
Pakistan
PakistanLearn More!.
Minors in Rwanda are arbitrarily detained and held in subhuman conditions without due process. Since 2020, we have launched 4 projects in Rwanda to raise awareness about juvenile justice.
Rwanda
RwandaLearn More!.
Ongoing conflict and displacement in Syria has led to violations of Child Rights, who being tried and detained as adults. In 2023, we are supporting a project to challenge this injustice and advocate for separate facilities.
Syria
SyriaLearn More!.
In 2020, we launched a project to raise awareness for juvenile justice in Thailand through using technology to directly engage youth in their human rights.
Thailand
ThailandLearn More!.
Approximately 1.3% of Togo's prison population are minors. In 2020, we supported a project to improve juvenile justice in Togo by raising awareness and supporting children in conflict with the law.
Togo
TogoLearn More!.
Children as young as 7 years old in Zimbabwe can face criminal charges and be detained with adults. In 2020, we supported a project to improve juvenile justice in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe
ZimbabweLearn More!.
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Frequently Asked Questions

There are various ways to support our mission. If you’re looking to make a financial contribution, consider donating to our cause. For students in schools or universities, we encourage you to become Youth Justice advocates! Starting a Youth Charter Chapter is an impactful way to make a difference, and it’s easy, free, and fun. For more details click here.

For access to the Youth Justice Charter, click here.

For any further inquiries or specific requests, please email us at youth@ibj.org. We’re here to assist you!