Words and Deeds: Strategically defending the rights of all women and girls in an era of backlash

The report demonstrates that defending the rights of women and girls requires more than responding once rights are already under threat. Governments, international institutions, civil society and funders need to anticipate backlash, coordinate their responses and sustain investment in gender equality over the long term.

Drawing on lessons from advocacy around the world, Equality Now calls for action across four areas:

1. Reclaim narratives and reframe public discourse: Invest in communications that challenge misinformation and anti-rights narratives, centre lived experiences and build public support for gender equality.
2. Leverage international mechanisms and accountability tools: Use international and regional human rights mechanisms to reinforce legal obligations, document emerging patterns of backlash and strengthen accountability.
3. Invest in research, documentation and early warning systems: Identify and monitor emerging threats to laws, policies and institutions so that governments and civil society can anticipate backlash and respond earlier.
4. Sustain engagement through and beyond crisis: Invest in feminist leadership, organisational capacity, long-term funding and solidarity networks to defend existing gains while continuing to advance rights.