Achieving Gender-Equal Nationality Laws for Sustainable Development
Despite significant reforms to end legal discrimination against women, today 49 countries maintain nationality laws that discriminate on the basis of gender. 25 countries have nationality laws that deny women the right to confer nationality on their children at birth on an equal basis with men. Women’s inability to equally confer citizenship can put huge financial, psychological, and physical strains on families, which can result in intergenerational poverty. The SDGs are significantly inhibited wherever this form of legal discrimination persists.
During the 10th UN High Level Political Forum, on Thursday, July 7th, from 8:00-9:30 EDT, we are convening Government, UN, and civil society leaders to:
- Present positive examples of recent nationality law reforms
- Outline why gender-equal nationality laws are essential to sustainable development, including through the testimony of an affected mother
- Discuss how we can work together for more change
Panelists:
- Dr. Josil Murray, Affected Mother and Activist
- Mr. Patrick Eba, Deputy Director, Policy and Law, Division of International Protection, UNHCR
- Ms. Uzra Zeya, United States Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy & Human Rights
- Mr. Maminiaina Rabenirina, Parliamentarian in the National Assembly of Madagascar
- Ms. Alicia Wallace, Executive Director, Equality Bahamas
Moderator:
- Ms. Catherine Harrington, Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights
Arabic, English, French and International Sign Language Interpretation Available