Dear John, 

Despite growing challenges—such as increasing conflicts, political divisions, and violations of women’s and girls’ human rights—2024 still saw meaningful steps toward gender equality around the world.

Together with our partners, we have contributed to: 

• Ending Child Marriage: Sierra Leone, Colombia, and several U.S. states passed landmark bans on child marriage, protecting girls’ rights and futures.

• Protecting Women and Girls from FGM: The Gambian Parliament rejected attempts to repeal its anti-FGM ban, upholding vital protections for women and girls and reinforcing international human rights commitments.

• Legal Advances: Countries and regions adopted new laws and frameworks to safeguard women’s rights—such as disability-inclusive protections in Kyrgyzstan and a new African Union protocol against statelessness—while digital rights gained recognition in the Global Digital Compact.

• Collective Action: Coalitions like SAMAJ in South Asia and the Hurra Coalition in MENA highlight how working together amplifies impact, driving systemic change and ensuring equality remains at the forefront of policy and action.

And we’re thrilled to see advances in other areas, such as:

• Women in Leadership: More women are rising to top political positions around the world—including in Mexico, Iceland, Namibia, and Ghana—signaling a shift toward more inclusive and equitable governance.

• Speaking Out Against Sexual Violence: Survivors like Gisèle Pélicot and Shiori Ito, and advocates like E. Jean Carroll bravely shared their stories, challenging stigma and inspiring others to seek justice.

Read more on the progress towards gender equality in 2024.

These achievements remind us that incremental changes do build progress. With your continued support and collaboration, together we can move closer to a gender-equal world. 

Thanks to a generous match provided by our partner InMaat Foundation, gifts will be doubled up to a total of $50,000 through the end of the year. Please take advantage of this opportunity and give as generously as you can today.

 Together, we can create a gender-equal world.

Equality Now’s most-read articles from 2024

In a rapidly changing world, the struggle for gender equality and the protection of all women’s and girls’ rights remain urgent, complex, and deeply intertwined with political, social, and cultural realities across the globe. As 2024 draws to a close, we have rounded up our most read articles from the year. 

From legislative breakthroughs that prohibit child marriage to the escalating crisis of deepfake sexual abuse, from historic icons of the feminist movement to contemporary assaults on fundamental rights, the landscape is as dynamic as it is challenging. The following articles—covering developments in countries ranging from the United States and Colombia to Argentina and Sierra Leone—offer critical insights into the progress made, setbacks encountered, and creative solutions being explored. 

1. Why Women's Rights Are Vulnerable in America

2. Only 13 of 50 US States have passed legislation banning child marriage; we still have a long road ahead

3. Colombia prohibits child marriage without exceptions following tireless advocacy efforts 

4. An Icon at 90: Gloria Steinem's Enduring Quest for Equality 

5. Argentina under Milei: The First 120 Days of a Government Marked by Wide-ranging Attacks on Women’s Rights 

6. What’s happening with the FGM law in the Gambia?

7. The rise of deepfake image-based sexual abuse necessitates urgent and comprehensive responses from technological innovation, legal reform, and societal awareness

8. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024: Leave No Child Behind

9. Gender pay gap in the U.S. widens for the first time in 20 years

10. Women As Weapons of War: The Role of International Mechanisms to Eliminate Sexual Violence in Conflict

11. Understanding the new law against child marriage in Sierra Leone

12. 5 Things You Should Know About Widows' Rights in the MENA Region

And if you want to do some further reading over the holidays, explore our Resource Center - filled with expert toolkits, fact sheets and publications. 

Thank you for your continued interest in our work to protect and promote the rights of all 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 

PS: We need your help unlocking the entire $50,000 match offered by our generous partner InMaat Foundation. Your contribution of $25, $50, or more could get us to the finish line. Please donate today.