The third decade of this century has been extraordinary, and it has only just begun – a global pandemic, uncertain elections in the world’s largest democracies, and deep conflicts in society have brought into sharp focus the issues that are tearing us apart. The fault line is gender inequality – and its cause is staring us in the face – our society’s own failure to move beyond patriarchal self-interest and act for the common good.
At Equality Now, we are guided by a simple yet profound belief: that every woman and girl deserves to live a life free from violence and discrimination. It’s a belief that has fueled our work for over three decades, driving us to challenge unjust laws, advocate for policy reforms, and amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized and silenced. For those who care about economics, if women had equal rights as men, the world’s GDP would increase by $28 trillion. So why leave that money on the table instead of building women’s wealth and supporting communities? It was only in the mid 70s that women began to have access to credit and money, so it is no wonder that society today still carries much of these patriarchal values.
So how do we get to a gender equal world? I offer you three strategies:
Smart Vision where we understand the legal equality is the bedrock upon which lived equality stands. By reforming policies by lifting the voices of those who must be heard, we strive to create a foundation of dignity, equity, and rights for all.
Innovative Collaboration: One powerful example of this collaboration is the New York Women’s Foundation who show us that Together, we are stronger. Together, we can achieve so much more. NYWF’s unwavering support and partnership to reach gender justice in New York has been instrumental in advancing a shared mission.
Seamless Execution: We must never stop what we are doing. We dream, we plan, and we execute without missing a beat. We are guided by the vision we believe in to propel us forward despite all the challenges we face.
When every citizen has a fair shot at fully participating and sharing in the rewards of growth, the economy will be resilient, and our future will be stronger. If women are held back the world’s glass will always be half empty. If we practice radical listening, learning in community and collaborating we can win and make Equality our common scorecard.
Equality Now is the call to action for our times.