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Dear John
I start the new year as the Global Executive Director of Equality Now with a strong sense of purpose, abundance, and community. As we look back on the tumult of the past few years, 2023 offers us the opportunity to unlock the potential of those who advance the world.
My message to you is one of gratitude. I am grateful to lead an organization of world-class experts and leaders who work tirelessly to create a gender equal world.
In the coming month, I will share more about my vision for Equality Now and our priorities for 2023, including our work on building a safe digital future, equality in the family, and advancing our four pillars of work around legal rights, ending sexual violence, ending harmful practices and ending sexual exploitation.
The work is hard, but the impact is critical.
As we know, each day brings serious challenges to women’s agency and empowerment which we have seen recently in Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, and more. By righting wrongful action through policy reform and ensuring laws are enforced, we can unlock the potential of generations of women and girls. We can never forget that women’s rights are human rights. And one woman, in particular, deserves great kudos.
With immense gratitude, on behalf of everyone at Equality Now, I thank Yasmeen Hassan.
As Yasmeen has handed over the reins of Equality Now to me, I appreciate all that she has done to build this outstanding organization. The legacy and policy reform that she has stewarded has improved the lives of millions of women and girls. Many changes have come after decades of persistence, and the results speak for themselves: 60% of laws that have been challenged by us have been repealed. And we thank all of you who have supported that journey.
Equality cannot be achieved without steadfastness and sacrifice, which Yasmeen has exemplified, alongside a keen sense of humor. She has grown Equality Now from an organization of 17 people to one that is 86 strong today and represented in all the corners of the world. The organization has built unparalleled programs, communications, finance, and development teams working tirelessly for gender justice.
Thank you, Yasmeen, for all you have done. You will always be part of the Equality Now family, and we look forward to your next chapter.
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