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** In this month’s digest
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* Reflections from CSW69
* Marking Sexual Assault Awareness Month
* Gender Equality Across the Globe
** Dear John,
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Welcome to this month's digest from Equality Now, where as Global Director of Programs, and using my 30+ years of experience in gender policy and social justice, I share with you insights and updates about our work on advancing equality for women and girls through transformative legal change.
The Equality Now team, including myself, has recently returned from the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women ([link removed]) (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. CSW69 has reaffirmed that while we have made considerable strides since the Beijing Declaration ([link removed]) , the path to gender equality is far from complete.
CSW69 ([link removed]) offered both a recognition of progress and a sobering assessment of the work that remains. Discussions were grounded in evidence and experience, with partners and allies highlighting both the gaps in current approaches and the strategies that are making an impact. The need for coordinated, cross-sectoral action came through clearly, reinforcing that sustainable progress depends on shared learning, political will, and continued accountability.
Intersectional, intergenerational leadership in the human rights sector is central to maintain momentum. CSW69 conversations reaffirmed that real change doesn’t happen in silos, it happens through solidarity, shared vision, and bold, collective action.
- Niki Kandirikirira, Global Director of Programs, Equality Now
** In Focus: Why Justice Still Fails Survivors of Sexual Violence
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month ([link removed]) , a time to reflect, raise awareness, and take action. At Equality Now, we’re using this moment to highlight the legal and systemic failures that allow sexual violence ([link removed]) to persist across the globe.
From gaps in legal definitions to the lack of access to justice, our research shows that survivors continue to face discrimination, disbelief, and impunity for perpetrators. Rape laws around the world continue to fall short in protecting survivors and delivering justice.
What Does This Mean for Women and Girls?
These gaps aren’t just technical, they’re life-altering. When the law doesn't define rape based on consent ([link removed]) , or when survivors are pressured into silence, justice becomes inaccessible. Outdated laws not only fail to protect women and girls, they also send a harmful message: that sexual violence is negotiable, excusable, or not serious.
In many countries:
* Marital rape is still not recognized as a crime
* Survivors must prove physical resistance to be believed
* Legal loopholes allow perpetrators to avoid prosecution entirely
These injustices are compounded by stigma, underreporting, and a lack of survivor-centered support systems.
This April, we have set a goal of raising $7,000 in support of our essential work to end sexual violence, ensure legal equality, and more. Please join us with a gift of $25, $50, or more. Every dollar counts. ([link removed])
Our Expert Says…
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“True justice begins with recognising that sex without real consent is rape, full stop. But it’s not just laws that should centre consent. Law enforcement must understand and reflect this basic truth if we are serious about ending sexual violence.”
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- Jacqui Hunt, Global Lead, End Sexual Violence, Equality Now
Want to Learn More?
Equality Now has spent decades researching and analyzing sexual violence laws across regions. Our legal analysis and advocacy work spans multiple regions, showing just how widespread and systemic the problem is. Explore these key resources from Equality Now:
* Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa ([link removed]) – Highlights how gaps in legislation and implementation deny justice to survivors across the continent.
* Sexual Violence in South Asia ([link removed]) – Examines legal protection gaps and systemic barriers faced by survivors, particularly from socially excluded communities.
* Failure to Protect: The Americas ([link removed]) – Reveals how discriminatory laws and practices continue to harm women and girls across the region.
* Roadblocks to Justice: Eurasia ([link removed]) – Unpacks outdated laws and entrenched impunity across post-Soviet states.
For media recommendations, including books and movies, read Equality Now's most recent Feminist Culture Club issue ([link removed]) .
** Across the Globe: Expert Analysis in Brief
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* Saudi Arabia’s new Personal Status Law marks a notable shift in strengthening women’s legal rights, particularly around guardianship, divorce, and custody, reflecting progress aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 goals. However, without broader reforms to eliminate remaining discriminatory laws and ensure consistent implementation, these changes fall short of achieving full gender equality in practice. Read more. ([link removed])
* Canada’s signing of the Belém do Pará Convention ([link removed]) is a welcome affirmation of its commitment to ending violence against women and girls across the region. For this move to have lasting impact, Equality Now urges full ratification ([link removed]) and robust national implementation, including accountability mechanisms and active engagement with civil society.
* Kyrgyzstan haslifted its long-standing ban on women working in over 400 professions ([link removed]) , expanding access to a wider range of jobs. The reform follows advocacy by Equality Now and a legal challenge by lawyer Ainura Osmonalieva. This landmark change marks a significant step toward gender equality in the workplace.
** Coming Up This Month
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Legal and Media Advocacy Training in Egypt
From 7 to 10 April, 26 young participants will take part in a Legal and Media Advocacy training in Cairo, Egypt. During the training, they will learn how to navigate legal frameworks to challenge discrimination, use digital media to raise awareness and shift narratives, and mobilize communities to influence policy.
In solidarity,
Niki Kandirikirira
Global Director of Programs, Equality Now
PS: Did you miss our International Women’s Day webinar last month? Explore the key insights here. ([link removed])
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