|
Dear John,
Equality Now: Protecting and Promoting women's rights worldwide since 1992.
In a world where women's rights are increasingly under threat, Equality Now remains steadfast in our commitment to creating a more just world for women and girls, rooted in the law. Legal equality and lived equality go hand in hand. Globally, discriminatory laws hold women back from unlocking their full potential and being independent. With our partners, we renew our commitment to women and girls in every corner of the world including the United States- we strive to advocate for and implement laws that prevent violence and discrimination.
Here’s a round-up of our teams’ recent work around the world. But first, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support. You’re an essential partner in our work to make the world a better, safer place for women and girls. Everything you read in this newsletter, you’ve helped make possible. Thank you.
|
|
|
International Day of the Girl Child 2024: Together We Can
Last month on Oct. 11 we marked International Day of the Girl Child. This year, we highlighted that every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence and discrimination. We also introduced you to Raha, Equality Now's daughter, who encapsulates the shared lived experiences of the girls we work with, whose story we will share through the end of the year as she navigates a world impacted by gender inequality.
With your support, we’ve already transformed millions of lives by improving laws worldwide, including 14 laws in 12 countries last year.
Together, we can end discrimination. Together, we can ensure every girl is treated equally. Together, we can unlock a gender-equal world. Together, we can achieve even more in 2025.
|
|
What you need to know about child marriage
Child marriage is defined as a formal marriage or informal union in which one or both individuals are under the age of 18. It is a human rights violation that legitimizes abuse and denies girls’ autonomy under the guise of culture, honor, tradition, and religion.
Equality Now has actively advocated for the eradication of harmful practices, including child marriage, for the past three decades.
Read our blog to learn more about the global impact of child marriage.
We have recently launched three new resources on child marriage, its causes and consequences, and the legal and policy frameworks required to protect girls worldwide. Discover them below:
|
|
|
Equality Now in Action: Behind the Scenes of our Advocacy Work
International meetings are a vital part of our work, allowing us to engage and advocate with governments and regional and global bodies on critical issues related to gender equality and human rights. By bringing together or joining a diverse community of women and partner organizations, we are able to amplify our collective voices and generate collaborative, sustainable solutions for gender equality.
Recently, we were at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Summit of the Future. While there, we took part in a wide range of key events and strategy sessions with civil society partners and government stakeholders. One such event was a panel on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which was hosted by the Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (of which Equality Now is a founding member) and other partners.
In Africa, our team conducted an urgent mission to The Gambia in a concerted effort to protect anti-FGM laws in the country, participated in the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) conference in Ethiopia, and worked to advance the Anti-Gender Based Violence Bill in South Sudan.
More recently, we attended the Global Collaboration to End FGM/C in Washington, D.C. in the United States where our team (seen below) collaborated on developing strategies to end female genital mutilation globally.
|
|
|
As we write this, our colleagues (seen below) are at the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia. Along with government officials, children, youth, survivors, and civil society representatives, we will be advocating for legal reform as a route to end all forms of violence against children.
|
|
In case you missed it:
-
The Young Feminist Party (YFP) represents the latest generational movement to champion the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), recognizing its profound importance in providing stronger protections for all under the US Constitution.
Read more about their push to pass the ERA.
-
September marked 29 years since governments from around the world gathered at the United Nations’ 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing. Together, they pledged to work toward gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Find out what progress has been made on this commitment, 29 years on.
-
Women’s lost earnings due to pay inequality amounted to $1.7 trillion in 2023.
Read the OpEd by Global Executive Director, Mona Sinha, and President and CEO of the ERA Coalition, Zakiya Thomas on their recommendations of how the next US administration can address this stark gender inequality.
-
In Kenya, femicide has become an alarming issue, with at least 150 women killed in 2023, and 10 women murdered in January 2024 according to open source data (which is highly likely to be under-estimated).
Listen to Equality Now’s Africa Regional Coordinator, Judy Gitau, comparing the situation in Kenya with Puerto Rico in a recent episode of BBC’s The Conversation, Femicide: 'The shadow pandemic'.
|
|
|
Thank you for your continued interest in our work to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world. Together we have, together we can, and together we will make strides toward a gender-equal world.
In solidarity,
Niki Kandirikirira
Director of Programs, Equality Now
P.S.: Mark your calendars. December 3 is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to supporting the causes you care most about. We hope you keep Equality Now in mind and consider giving early in support of women and girls worldwide.
|
|
|
|
|
