A Look at Discriminatory Violence Laws 

Ahead of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women last Friday, we released a new policy brief on sex discrimination in violence laws around the world. 

Only 12 out of 190 economies surveyed by the World Bank in 2022 had achieved legal equality, and a typical economy only grants women 75% of the same rights as men. Income inequality and gender inequalities are intimately linked, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that inequality kills.

Our latest Words & Deeds brief highlights the laws that still need to change, including by ensuring consent, not force, is an element in rape laws, addressing intersectionality, and the need for laws to address violence in the digital world. 

Calling for the Adoption of a Universal Digital Rights Framework

Regulation of the digital world is inconsistent and ineffective. Those who are most profoundly affected by this are the people, groups, and communities with the least power and privilege. Misogynists, discriminators, and exploiters have found a new home in the digital realm, and their harms are being exaggerated and amplified by algorithms and machine learning.

To achieve global equality of safety, freedom, and dignity in our digital future, we’ve joined together with Women Leading in AI to call for a universal approach to defining, upholding, and advancing digital rights – for everyone. This Monday, we launched the Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi) to explore ways of creating a digital future in which everyone can enjoy equal rights to safety, freedom, and dignity. Together we’re proposing a set of Digital Principles developed to inform global efforts toward a digital future in which everyone can enjoy equal rights to safety, freedom, and dignity.

An Introduction to International Human Rights Advocacy for Feminists 

Engaging with UN treaty bodies and other UN mechanisms is a key part of our Theory of Change. 

In 2022, over 85% of the submissions we've made to UN treaty bodies or the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) this year resulted in one or more of our recommendations being adopted by the relevant committee for the sessions that have been concluded.

To support our partners and other feminist advocates around the world to engage in international human rights advocacy, we’ve launched a Guide To Advocating For Women’s Rights Using International Human Rights Mechanisms in English, French, Arabic, Russian, with other languages to follow. 

Supporting Systems for Survivors of Gender-based Violence in the Maldives

Women and girls across South Asia face high rates of sexual violence. Protection gaps in rape laws and barriers to accessing justice continue to effectively deny justice for many survivors of sexual violence.

Equality Now joined our partners Uthema and Hope for Women as they steered a Multi-stakeholder Forum on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Maldives and engaged with the country’s Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services to create more effective support systems for survivors of gender-based violence. At the forum, held on November 28, we led interactive sessions on making gender advocacy more survivor-centric in the Maldives.

Ibrahim Thayyib, the Chief Executive Officer of the Family Protection Authority, delivered the keynote address. Two survivors of violence shared their stories and spoke of the vision for change they are working for. 

Following the release of our report, Sexual Violence in South Asia: Legal and Other Barriers to Justice for Survivors, we are continuing to work with partners across the region, particularly in the Maldives and Nepal, to call on governments to take urgent action to address sexual violence and improve access to justice for survivors.