Saskia Niño de Rivera is a powerful voice for justice and a true hero in the world of human rights. She’s known for helping children, moms in prison, and people who have been forgotten by society. Her mission is to make the world safer and more fair, especially for kids.
Meet Saskia Niño de Rivera
Saskia Niño de Rivera is a Mexican activist and human rights defender, born in the United States. She is best known for co-founding Reinserta, a nonprofit organization that helps children and families affected by crime and the prison system. Saskia has a deep passion for justice and has spent years fighting for those who are often ignored—especially children born and raised in prison.
She studied psychology and criminology, and her education helped shape her understanding of how the justice system works—and how it often fails to protect the most vulnerable. Instead of turning a blind eye to problems, Saskia chose to act. Her dedication is driven by her belief that every child deserves a chance, no matter where they were born or what their parents have done.
Why Is Saskia Famous?
Saskia Niño de Rivera is famous because she speaks out for people who can’t speak for themselves. In a world where many activists focus on big political issues, Saskia shines a light on the smaller, often hidden corners of society—like children growing up in prison with their mothers.
She appears on TV shows, news interviews, and even TEDx stages. Her voice has reached international audiences. Her message is always strong: “Children are not criminals. They deserve love, care, and a future.” Through her work at Reinserta, she has helped change laws, create better prison conditions, and raise awareness about justice reform.
What Does Saskia’s Group Do?
Saskia co-founded Reinserta, an organization that helps rebuild the lives of children and families affected by the criminal justice system. Reinserta’s work is centered around helping people who are either in prison, leaving prison, or have family members who are incarcerated.
Helping Moms and Babies in Prison
Many people don’t realize that in some prisons, babies are born and raised behind bars. These children didn’t commit any crimes, yet they live in dark, stressful, and dangerous environments. Saskia’s group works directly in women’s prisons, making sure that pregnant women and moms have the support they need. They provide education, medical care, emotional support, and parenting guidance.
Reinserta helps move these children into better environments where they can grow up with love, safety, and the chance to go to school. Saskia believes that giving these children a fresh start helps break the cycle of crime.
Giving Kids a Safe Space
Saskia knows that many kids who join gangs or commit crimes are actually trying to survive in dangerous neighborhoods. Reinserta creates programs for these children and teens—giving them safe places to learn, play, and grow. Through therapy, education, and creative arts, Saskia’s team helps kids believe in a better future.
These programs help children deal with trauma, understand their emotions, and build self-confidence. Instead of punishing them, Reinserta gives them tools to succeed.
Teaching People About Crime and Justice
Reinserta also educates the public. Saskia and her team hold workshops, write reports, and speak at conferences about how the justice system affects families. They talk about prison conditions, why young people commit crimes, and how society can do better.
Saskia believes that when more people understand how the system works, they can help change it. Reinserta also works with police, lawyers, and judges to promote justice that is fair and kind, especially to children and women.
Where Is Saskia From?
Saskia was born in the United States but raised in Mexico. Her mixed cultural background gave her a broader view of the world and helped her see problems from different angles. She saw how crime and justice are handled in different countries and decided to use her knowledge to help fix the broken parts of the system in Mexico.
Even though she works mostly in Mexico, her ideas and impact stretch across borders. Activists and leaders from around the world look to Saskia as a role model for how to create real change.
How Did Saskia Start Reinserta?
Reinserta started with a simple but powerful idea: “No child belongs in prison.” After working in the Mexican prison system and studying how it affected families, Saskia and her co-founder, Mercedes Gallardo, realized they needed to act. They saw children sleeping in cold, dark cells, growing up without toys, books, or the freedom to run and play.
In 2013, they launched Reinserta. At first, it was just a small group with a big dream. But they worked hard—visiting prisons, talking to mothers, writing reports, and asking for help. Little by little, they built trust and partnerships. Now, Reinserta is one of Mexico’s most respected NGOs working with children and prisons.
What Are Saskia’s Big Dreams?
Saskia isn’t just working for today—she’s thinking about the future. Her big dreams are about creating a safer, more just world for kids and families.
A Safer Future for Kids
One of Saskia’s biggest goals is to keep kids away from crime. She believes that no child is born bad. Instead, kids learn from what they see. If they grow up surrounded by violence, they often repeat it. But if they grow up with love and support, they can thrive.
Saskia wants to create more spaces where kids feel safe and heard. She hopes to build more shelters, community centers, and schools in high-crime areas. These safe spaces give children the tools to succeed and grow up to be strong and kind adults.
Changing How We See Justice
To Saskia, justice isn’t just about locking people up. It’s about understanding why people commit crimes and helping them find better paths. She wants to see more fairness, more rehabilitation, and less punishment—especially for women and young people.
She’s also working to change public opinion. Through books, interviews, and speeches, Saskia asks people to think differently about justice. She says we must care for the people behind bars if we want real change outside them.
Awards and Recognition
Because of her hard work, Saskia has received many awards. She was named one of the BBC 100 Women and has been honored in Mexico and internationally. These awards show that her work is making a difference. But Saskia doesn’t do it for the praise. She does it because she truly cares.
Each award is a chance to shine more light on the issues she fights for. Saskia often uses her speeches to talk about the kids, moms, and families who still need help.
Saskia’s Words That Inspire
Saskia Niño de Rivera is known for her powerful words. One of her most famous quotes is:
“El crimen no se combate con más violencia, sino con más empatía.”
Translation: “Crime is not fought with more violence, but with more empathy.”
This idea runs through everything she does. Saskia believes that listening, understanding, and caring are more powerful than anger or punishment. Her speeches, books, and interviews are filled with stories that make people stop and think.
For many young people, Saskia is a role model. She proves that you don’t need to be rich or powerful to make a difference—you just need courage and a big heart.
The Bottom Line
Saskia Niño de Rivera is more than just an activist—she’s a symbol of hope. From helping babies in prison to teaching the world about justice, her work has touched thousands of lives. She stands up for kids who can’t speak for themselves and builds a future where safety and kindness are possible for everyone.
Her group, Reinserta, is changing the way people think about prisons, crime, and justice. And even though her work is hard and sometimes dangerous, Saskia never gives up. She reminds us all that change starts with one person willing to care.
