19th May 2026
11 mins
Equality Now calls on African governments to strengthen laws on sexual violence, FGM, and women’s rights
Equality Now is an active agent of both legal and systemic change, working alongside local, national, and regional partners to secure enduring gender equality in every part of the world.
Ending Sexual Violence – Over her lifetime, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence — regardless of age, background, or country — which means that sexual violence impacts women and girls in epidemic proportions. However, despite the pervasiveness of these crimes, laws around the world are insufficient, inconsistent, not systematically enforced, and, in some instances, even promote and perpetuate sexual violence.
Ending Harmful Practices – Despite the UN calling for the worldwide elimination of all harmful practices, including Female Genital Mutilation, by 2030, many countries still do not have adequate laws and policies in place to protect women and girls.
Ending Sexual Exploitation – systematic and structural discrimination mean that globally, it is women and girls who are most at risk of experiencing sexual exploitation, and governments and international bodies are failing to uphold the rights of millions of women and girls around the world.
Achieving Legal Equality – almost every country in the world still has laws that discriminate on the basis of sex and/or gender, with the typical economy granting women just 75% of the rights that are enjoyed by men.
We are committed to working with journalists to raise awareness of our core areas of work to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls everywhere.
Our media team is available around the clock to help with quotes, comment, and interviews and to provide up-to-date information, background research, and media toolkits.
For media enquiries in English, French, Spanish, Russian, or Arabic, contact our media team.
Email: press@equalitynow.org
For media enquiries in English, French, Spanish, Russian, or Arabic, contact our media team.
Associate Director, Media – Tara Carey
Associate Director, Advocacy Communications – Sylvia Obaga
Associate Manager, Communications – Mel Bailey
Communications Officer, South Asia – Aakansha Saxena
Associate Manager, Communications – LAC – Tamara Rusansky
Associate Manager, Communications – Africa – Millicent Kwambai
Communications Officer, Africa – Michelle Tuva
Communications Officer, Africa – Sphiwe Dlamini
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We work with journalists, editors, and news producers to build powerful, survivor-centered narratives that respect the dignity and rights of women and girls. Our toolkits and briefings help you get the story right – and get it out fast.
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