Women’s and girls’ rights are under attack globally, including in the United States, where the Equal Rights Amendment is not universally recognized and implemented, and many states continue to fail to protect women and girls from female genital mutilation and child marriage.
Equality Now is a critical player in the human rights space, working to secure the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls. We work with partners worldwide at the national, regional, and global levels, and serve the global community as experts, informing and advising on better laws; catalysts, building coalitions and supporting collaboration; and reformers, holding power to account.
But we can’t act alone. Gender equality benefits everyone, and it will take everyone to bring it to fruition and build a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Whether you represent a company, are a passionate and concerned citizen, or work with a civil society organization, we all have a role to play in creating a gender-equal world. Here are ten ideas to help you get started.
The ERA guarantees constitutional protection against sex discrimination in the United States. It could potentially provide robust protection against systemic injustices, including sexual violence, workplace discrimination, lack of family leave, threats to women’s bodily autonomy, and barriers to lack of representation. However, according to a 2022 poll, 24% of US citizens have never heard of the ERA and therefore aren’t aware of its potential impact. That’s why we need the help of passionate individuals, including our readers, to raise awareness and understanding about this essential Amendment. If you’re feeling generous, you can also share our colorful graphics on social media.
Everything we do has an impact, including our shopping. Consider supporting brands that seek to have a positive impact on our communities, such as those featured on Equality Now’s website. Each featured brand, like Olivela, Brides for a Cause, and Vogue Eyewear, donates in support of our work and women and girls everywhere, allowing you to feel good about where your money is spent. You can also spread the message of equality everywhere you go by shopping at Equality Now’s store.
By subscribing to Equality Now’s emails, you will receive regular updates on the state of gender equality worldwide, media recommendations, and information on critical moments to advance and protect women’s and girls’ rights. You have the power to make a difference and it starts with awareness as the political landscape shifts and opportunities and challenges arise that can impact women and girls.
You can help create a dedicated, passionate next generation by sharing your values. Equality Now’s Equality Culture Club includes media recommendations for both adults and children. Pick one or two books to share with the young feminist in your life and use the book as a teaching moment, opening dialogue and answering questions. Also consider encouraging young students to explore Equality Now’s School Group Initiative, a new way for youths to be involved in our mission and make a difference in their communities. We accept applications on a rolling basis – forward our interest form today.
Download our sample letters, touching on topics like child marriage and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and send them to your representative via mail or e-mail to express your support for women and girls. You can go the extra mile by hosting a letter writing party with your family and friends. The more people who speak up on behalf of women and girls, the more likely we are to have a gender-equal world.
Gender equality doesn’t only benefit women and girls. Studies show that when gender equality is prioritised, entire societies can flourish – the economy improves, peace becomes the standard, there’s better conservation management, and more. In short, everyone benefits from gender equality – men and boys, too. While women and girls are tough, passionate, and resourceful, they make up half of the population. We can go a lot farther, faster when we work together as a global community. Reach out to the people in your life and have a conversation about why gender equality matters.
Equality Now’s Equality Culture Club (ECC) provides fun, engaging ways to approach and discuss gender equality. From “A Long Way from Douala”, a series of vignettes, for Pride Month to “She Did That.”, a film about black female entrepreneurs, for Black History Month, we have shared a wide range of thoughtful book, television, movie, podcast, and music recommendations. With years’ worth of media available to you, you can start your own ECC to spark conversations with your family and friends.
Your vote is your voice, and it’s essential to express your views in every election, from the local to federal level. Who you elect has the potential to make decisions that have wide-reaching, long-term impacts. Take for example Busia County in Kenya. Their local government passed a comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence bill into law in December 2024, offering much greater protection to the estimated 177,612 women and girls who will face sexual or gender-based violence in their lifetime. Now imagine what your local government can do for you and the women and girls in your community.
Equality Now depends on our partners, including people like you, to help us stand strong in the face of rising authoritarianism and anti-rights movements. Less than 2% of philanthropic funding goes to organizations that serve women and girls. Fundraising is a great way to make a difference, raising both awareness and funds for our essential work to protect and expand the rights of women and girls and create a gender-equal world. The best fundraisers build on your interests. Ideas include bake sales, movie nights, raffles, fashion shows, walk-a-thons, craft sales, trivia nights, art auctions, tie-dye events, gaming tournaments, and talent shows. We are also honored to partner with content creators and gamers, who can fundraise for us through Tiltify. Download our toolkit to learn more.
Whether it’s $5 or $500, every cent matters when it comes to protecting the rights of all women and girls. And when you invest in Equality Now, you’re investing not only in the betterment of women and girls, but societies as a whole. If you decide to make a donation, consider also pursuing an employee match to double or even triple your impact.
By working alongside Equality Now, you are partnering with a trusted worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls, everywhere in the world. Since our inception in 1992, we have played a role in reforming 130 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities, and nations, both now and for generations to come. Thank you for helping to make a gender-equal world a reality.
If you have questions about how to further your support and involvement with Equality Now, please contact supporters@equalitynow.org.