Ariana Agarwal

Ariana (14), is from India. At 14, Ariana came across a case file during an internship with the District Collector. Inside was a black-and-white photograph of a seven-year-old girl, with her age marked in red. The case documented child prostitution, but Ariana saw how urgently action was needed. She decided to look beyond rescue and focus on what comes next: recovery and reintegration.

Ariana worked with officials in Rajasthan to support the rescue of girls from exploitation. Through an MoU with Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, government-backed safe shelter and reintegration support is now available for rescued girls in Bihar.

Ariana also tackles the roots of exploitation through legal literacy and mental health support. Her resources have been downloaded more than 6,000 and 4,000 times respectively, reaching teachers, children in informal settlements and others who cannot access support in person. Her sessions have directly impacted 5,000 children, helping make reintegration possible beyond the reach of physical programs.