The latest from our teams around the world
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Dear John,
Welcome to the latest edition of our Make Equality Reality Briefing, bringing you the latest news from our teams working to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world.
** Iran protests one year on: Calling on the UN to reform discriminatory laws
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A year has passed since Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman detained by morality police for “improper” hijab, died in police custody. Mahsa Amini was detained on September 13, 2022, for allegedly incorrectly wearing a hijab or headscarf per Iran’s strict and compulsory dress code, as outlined in Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, which mandates that women may be imprisoned or fined for failure to wear prescribed Islamic dress.
Her death triggered nationwide outrage in Iran, with demonstrators rallying under the slogan, “Woman, Life, Freedom,” and many demanding accountability in the face of increasing state oppression and violence. Last year, we released a video to honor them and help keep international attention on their story.
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Woman. Life. Freedom: Honoring the activism of Iranian women and girls
The struggle for gender equality in Iran has been ongoing for decades.
We cannot disregard the injustice and oppression women and girls continue facing in Iran. Mahsa’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for change. Her arrest and subsequent death shed light on the harsh consequences of Article 638, which imposes strict dress codes on women.
We refuse to let Mahsa’s passing be in vain. Femena, the Centre for Supporters of Human Rights and Equality Now, have made a joint submission to the UN Human Rights Committee ([link removed]) outlining major concerns over the dire state of women & girls’ human rights in Iran & urging urgent reform.
Join us in this crucial time for justice and equality for Iranian women and girls.
Share our content on Facebook ([link removed]) , Instagram ([link removed]) , LinkedIn ([link removed]) or Twitter ([link removed]) .
Read and Share Our Press Release ([link removed])
** Equality Now At The 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
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This year’s 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly took place in New York City, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an SDG Action Weekend on September 16-17, including the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment.
Equality Now works with several global and national coalitions, and as part of these groups, we took part in two important events, both on Thursday, September 14:
* Accelerating Action Toward Equality in Law for Women and Girls by 2030, in which experts from civil society, UN agencies, and other inter-governmental bodies stressed the importance of galvanizing leadership, inspiring activism, and harnessing data in the push to repeal and revise gender-discriminatory laws.
* Mapping Progress, Charting the Future: Utilizing Legal Tools to End FGM/C in the United States, where activists, academics, law enforcement professionals, and survivors of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) came together in person to discuss the challenges and progress in the fight against the practice in the United States, and to share two essential new tools to map progress ([link removed]) and combat the FGM/C through the law.
If you want to hear more about our participation at this year’s UNGA78, check out our latest blog on the takeaways from these important events ([link removed]) .
You can also read our recent blog explaining why Equality Now participates in events like UNGA, SDG Action Weekend and the SDG Summit ([link removed]) .
** Paving the way for family law reform in MENA: The Hurra Coalition launches
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Leading women’s rights organizations from the MENA came together to officially launch the Hurra Coalition ([link removed]) , a groundbreaking alliance dedicated to reforming family laws that discriminate against women and girls. This incredible initiative aims to put an end to gender-based discrimination and forge a brighter, more equal future for all.
This launch marks a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality and human rights in the MENA. It demonstrates that we can overcome obstacles and create a better world for future generations when we stand united.
We are delighted to celebrate the birth of the Hurra Coalition and invite you to join the movement towards a more inclusive and progressive society.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every woman and girl in the MENA enjoys her fundamental rights and freedoms.
Stay tuned for updates as the Hurra Coalition paves the way for a brighter, more equal future!
Read More ([link removed])
** Our recent publications and submissions
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At Equality Now, we believe in advocating for the development and implementation of progressive laws in alignment with international law and standards and fostering environments that respect women and girls through feminist, human rights, and evidence-based advocacy.
In the last few months alone, we released publications on the metaverse, ending child marriage, and sexism in nationality laws.
* Twenty Years Of The Maputo Protocol: Where Are We Now? ([link removed])
* What Will The Impact Of The Metaverse Be On Human Vulnerability? ([link removed])
* 2023 Update: Progress On Ending Sexism In Nationality Laws Since July 2022 ([link removed])
* Shadow Reporting On The Situation Of The Rights Of Women And Girls In Africa: A Facilitators’ Training Manual For Civil Society Organizations ([link removed])
* Ending Child Marriage In Eastern And Southern Africa: Challenges In Implementing Domestic Laws And The SADC Model Law On Child Marriage ([link removed])
* I Need The ERA Because…LGBTQ+ Rights Are Human Rights ([link removed])
We also made numerous submissions to Treaty Bodies, including submissions on Brazil ([link removed]) , Kyrgyzstan ([link removed]) , Mexico ([link removed]) , Iran ([link removed]) , and the US
([link removed]) , and an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Colombia ([link removed]) .
None of this work would be possible without the support of people like you. We are grateful for your solidarity at this moment.
In solidarity,
Niki Kandirikirira,
Global Director of Programmes
P.S. Want to be a part of our global team? Explore our current vacancies ([link removed]) .
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