The latest from our work to make equality reality across the world

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Dear John,

The work to protect and promote the rights of women and girls never stops. Yesterday marked two years since the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving the reproductive rights of women in the USA unprotected. This week, our teams are in Geneva, calling on the UN Human Rights Council to act on the potential overturning of The Gambia’s anti-FGM law, and in Nepal, launching an exciting collaboration to address sexual violence in South Asia.

In the latest edition of our newsletter, here’s a round-up of our teams’ work around the world. We couldn’t do this vital work without your support. Thank you for being part of the movement to build a more equal world.
Celebrating 30 years of the Belém do Pará Convention: A groundbreaking treaty on violence against women

Earlier this month, we joined governments, civil society, and other international actors in Chile in the Conference of States Parties of the Convention this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Belém do Pará Convention. The groundbreaking treaty was the world’s first to recognize violence against women as a systemic issue and to define the duties of States in terms of prevention, support, and punishment.

The Convention spurred the adoption of new laws across much of the region. These include laws that specifically target domestic violence, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. It also spurred the establishment of institutions responsible for the implementation of policies aimed at combating violence against women. This includes the creation of Ministries of Women and Ministries of Equity, with designated budget allocations for programs against gender-based violence.

As part of the events, my colleague, Bárbara Jiménez-Santiago, Regional Representative, Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the Declaration of the Regional Follow-Up Articulation to the Belém do Pará Convention ([link removed]) highlighting the challenges and outstanding issues for the adequate implementation of the Convention. We will continue to work to ensure that States advance—and do not regress—in the fight against all forms of violence affecting women and girls in all their diversity.

Learn more about the Belém do Pará Convention ([link removed]) , or read more about our participation in the recent celebrations including how we will continue to hold governments accountable to realizing the full potential of the Convention. ([link removed])
Celebrating the Day of the African Child: Equality Now calls for governments across the continent to let girls learn

June 16 marked the Day of the African Child, a day to celebrate the children across Africa and renew commitments to addressing the challenges they face. With girls being disproportionately represented in the almost 46 million school-going ([link removed].) children out of school across Eastern and Southern Africa, our work across the continent addresses some of the specific barriers girls face.

Those best placed to address gender inequality are often the people most profoundly affected and who understand and appreciate the cultural context in which it exists. That’s why collaboration with a diverse community of women and partner organizations from around the world is key to our approach.

To mark the Day of the African Child, we spotlighted our partners with whom we collaborate to champion and advance the right to education as a fundamental right. ([link removed])

Learn more about our work across the continent to address some of the specific barriers to education that girls face. ([link removed])
Women As Weapons Of War: The Role Of International Mechanisms To Eliminate Sexual Violence In Conflict

As international communities continue to explore possible legal avenues to support survivors and ensure accountability for perpetrators, both during and after times of war, Equality Now interviewed several experts on sexual violence from regions with a history of armed conflict to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

These countries and regions, each grappling with their own histories of conflict, provide unique perspectives on navigating complex legal landscapes in the pursuit of justice for survivors of sexual violence in conflict.

Read interviews with our legal experts Jean-Paul Murunga and Sandra Ramirez. ([link removed])
Leveraging Sexual Violence Laws for Survivor Justice: Rethinking Accountability

During a recent LinkedIn Live event hosted by Equality Now, legal experts from around the world emphasized the importance of not only acknowledging the consequences rape can have on women and girls but also shifting the focus to the root causes of inequality and a demand for accountability in combating sexual violence, particularly the pervasive crime of rape.

Read more and listen to the entire discussion here. ([link removed])
Equality Now in the media
* Fathers against the cut: 'We chose education over FGM, now we're reaping the sweet fruits' ([link removed])
* " ([link removed]) We must face the risk of setbacks": Bárbara Jiménez, feminist lawyer | EL ESPECTADOR ([link removed])
* Strengthening the role of civil society and building sustainable cooperation in promoting gender equality in Uzbekistan: how does the project work? ([link removed])

Thank you for your continued interest in our work to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world.

In solidarity

Niki Kandirikirira

Director of Programs, Equality Now

PS: Want to learn more about Equality Now's work? Sign up for our mailing list to receive our free biannual newsletter direct to your door. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20would%20like%20to%20receive%20the%20Equality%20Now%20newsletter%20to%20my%20door%20&body=Dear%20Kelly%20%0A%0AI%20would%20like%20to%20sign%20up%20to%20receive%20Equality%20Now's%20free%20biannual%20newsletter.%20%20%0A%0AMy%20address%20is%3A%20%0A%0AThank%20you%20)

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