Dear JOhn,

2020 was set to be a historic year for women's rights, with the Generation Equality Forums planned for Paris and Mexico, the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, and the G7 summit in the United States with gender equality high on the agenda.

None of us could have predicted the current global situation. COVID-19 has laid inequalities bare across the world, and our work matters now more than ever. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls. Thank you for making this work possible.

An important step toward accountability for sexual violence in Bolivia and beyond

In a monumental victory for survivors of sexual violence, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights has referred the case of Brisa De Angulo to the Inter-American Court. When Brisa was 15 she was repeatedly raped by her adult cousin and she has been fighting for justice ever since. Nearly 20 years later, due to her tenacity and dedication to ending impunity for sexual violence, her case will be heard before the highest court in the region. A positive outcome in this case would set a legal precedent throughout the Americas and improve the lives of millions of girls across the region.

>>>Read more

UN Human Rights Council passes a strong resolution against FGM

In one more step toward ending FGM by 2030, the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a strong resolution on the ‘Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation’. Submitted by Burkina Faso on behalf of the group of African States, the resolution calls upon all governments to take “comprehensive, multisectoral and rights-based measures to prevent and eliminate female genital mutilation”. It also recognizes the risk posed by the COVID-19 crisis to international, regional, and national efforts to eliminate this harmful practice. 

>>>Read more

Combating trafficking for sexual exploitation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

To mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2020 on July 30th, we released Combating trafficking for sexual exploitation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: lockdowns, online sexual abuse, & supporting survivors remotely. The brief covers the definition of trafficking for sexual exploitation, where, when, and who it happens to, why ending it matters in achieving gender equality, and the impact of COVID-19 on work to combat trafficking for sexual exploitation. >>>Read more

#FreeOurFamilyLaws 

As part of their #FreeOurFamilyLaws campaign, our partners Musawah worked with Egyptian rap artist Felukah & Syrian illustrator Rama Duwajito to release “Mesh Hastanna | مش هاستنى | I Won’t Wait”.  Watch the video on YouTube.

Coming up next

20 August 2020: At Home With Jamia Wilson

Join us for the next event in our At Home With series, a conversation with feminist activist, storyteller, author, movement builder, and supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution, Jamia Wilson on August 20. >>> Register now

Equality Now in the News

📰A #MeToo moment in Cairo led to the arrest of a serial rapist after a hundred women accused him on social media. This was momentous in Egypt where sexual violence is not often recognized by authorities. Equality Now’s Middle East/North Africa Consultant, spoke with The Media Line about the lack of legal protections for women in Egypt.

📰COVID-19 has led to a rise in domestic violence worldwide and women’s organizations around the world are working to elevate the issue on a global scale, while also providing much needed resources and legal assistance to victims. Forbes Magazine wrote an in-depth piece about the surge in domestic violence and Equality Now’s, Americas Regional Coordinator, Bárbara Jiménez-Santiago, highlights the steps being taken by Bolivia, Ecuador, and Argentina to ensure survivors can access virtual services from psychosocial advice to justice hearings.

📰As COVID-19 stalls progress on achieving gender equality worldwide, ending harmful practices such as FGM could be largely stalled. Speaking with Global Citizen, Equality Now’s, Global Lead for Achieving Legal Equality, Antonia Kirkland, discusses the necessary steps governments must take in order to end FGM globally by 2030.

Thank you for being a huge part of our work, which would not be possible without your constant support and activism.

In solidarity,

Bryna Subherwal
Advocacy Campaign Manager

P.S. How feminist is your home? We’ve recently launched a new print section in our Make Equality Reality store. From illustrations to protest posters, every purchase supports our work to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world. >>> Shop now