Activist Ruchira Gupta awarded prestigious French award

Ruchira Gupta, anti-sex-trafficking activist and founder of grassroots organisation Apne Aap Women Worldwide, was on Wednesday conferred the prestigious Chevalier de L'ordre du Merite (Knight of the National Order of Merit)​ award, joining the ranks of economist Amratya Sen and filmmaker Satyajit Ray. . 

Ruchira was awarded for her work to help prostituted women and girls by the President of Republic of France at a ceremony in New Delhi. 

French MP, Catherine Coutelle, Delhi Commission for Women Chair, Swati Maliwal and Hollywood actress-advocate Ashley Judd were also present at the event.

The ceremony was attended by survivors and global activists from across the globe at the end of a three day World Congress to end sex trafficking.