At Equality Now, we believe that all humanity is served when women and girls are given equal opportunities with men and boys and protected from violence and discrimination. Equality before the law is an essential first step to achieving true gender equality! We work with groups around the world to ensure that national, regional and international laws reflect the equality of men and women; that such laws are implemented; and that awareness is raised including through international media.
We are happy that there was more focus on women’s and girls’ rights in 2015 than ever before and this kept us busy! We launched the fourth edition of our global campaign to end sexism in the law, on the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, noting the successful repeal of many of the laws we had highlighted. We are thrilled that repeal of sex discriminatory laws is part of the new Sustainable Development Goals and we continue to play a leading role on this issue.
After 15 years of tireless advocacy, we got a landmark judgment from the African Commission in the case of a then 13-year-old survivor of abduction, rape and forced marriage in Ethiopia — setting an important precedent for Africa. We were also successful in helping win the first ever case in Egypt against the medicalization of female genital mutilation (FGM); win a gang rape case in Kenya where the defendants had initially been allowed to walk free; and settle the first case in the United States on sex tourism to Brazil. We also took on a new case in Paraguay to fight for the rights of a 10-year-old girl who was forced to carry a baby to term following a rape.
Our advocacy with the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition resulted in Sierra Leone becoming the 37th nation to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa. And, we trained 60 lawyers and 78 judges from 18 African countries to use the Protocol in litigation and legal advocacy. We helped the Kenyan government create a tool to better implement its anti-FGM law and held the first convening of African groups on sex trafficking to find African solutions to this pandemic.
We were excited to launch The GENEROSITY of GIRLS Fund to build the assets of girls so that they are able to reach their full potential, with initial partners in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Bolivia and the US.
You have helped us advance the cause to make equality reality. Together we’re leading the way to a time when women and girls are safe, fearless and free.
