We work with governments & parliaments

Equal laws create stronger, more prosperous societies

Since 1992, Equality Now has worked to eliminate all barriers to legal and systemic gender equality through expert advocacy, strategic litigation, partnerships, and grassroots collaboration. As a recognised international human rights expert, convener and reformer, we shape laws, unite powerful movements, and hold power to account—delivering enduring change to the benefit of all.

Around the world, laws still fall short of guaranteeing gender equality. We inform and advise national and local governments and parliamentary bodies, supporting them to align their legal systems with international human rights law and best practice. 

How we support governments and parliaments

Legal analysis & frameworks

Legal analysis and model legislative frameworks: from sexual violence to family law, female genital mutilation to tech-facilitated gender based violence. 

Technical assistance

Technical assistance on international and regional human rights obligations: including the Maputo Protocol and the Belem do Para Convention, to United Nations Treaty Body obligations. 

 

Policy development

Context-specific policy development informed by our global expertise: guided by our global expertise and grounded in local realities. 

 

Our impact: Transforming policy into action

Over 30 years, we’ve helped reform more than 120 discriminatory laws across the globe transforming the lives of millions of people for generations to come.

In 2024 alone, we contributed to legal reform in 10 countries, strengthening protections for over 52 million women and girls. In past years, our work informed reforms in Nepal, Mexico, Uzbekistan, the USA, and Bolivia – ensuring gender-sensitive legislation and enforcement systems across regions.

Everything we do at Equality Now is based around our four strategic aims, all of which are defined by key drivers of global (in)equality.

Explore the issues we work on: 

When laws treat everyone equally everyone benefits.

The impact of legal inequality is felt most directly by girls, women, and their families, but the wider economic and social consequences affect everyone. Research has shown that if women were to achieve full parity in the workforce, the global economy would increase by $7 trillion USD.

Securing legal equality for women and girls unlocks the full promise of gender equality – and with it, a more stable, prosperous, sustainable future for everyone.

Learn.

Use our women’s rights around the world resource to explore legal gaps and how your government can lead the change. 

Connect.

Partner.

Partner with us to align your laws  with global standards of equality and justice, to build a just world for everyone.

Explore more resources

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Intervention on the Occasion of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Equality Now celebrates the Central African Republic’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol and urges its full implementation. We also call for the withdrawal of reservations by nine AU Member States and the swift enactment of Ghana’s Spousal Property Rights Bill to advance women’s rights across Africa.

Legal gaps and enduring harm: Analysing the persistence of child marriage in the United States

Child marriage remains legal across most of the US, leaving minors vulnerable. Equality Now and Unchained At Last’s report exposes legal gaps, consequences, and provides clear recommendations to address this harmful practice nationwide.

Medicalisation of female genital mutilation/cutting in South and South East Asia

Equality Now’s policy brief with partners highlights the rise of medicalised FGM/C in South and South East Asia and calls for urgent government and health sector action to end the practice.

Latest News & Insights

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17th October 2025

14 mins

Statement By Equality Now on the Occasion of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights

News and Insights

15th October 2025

6 mins

The 2025 Equality Now Make Equality Reality Gala celebrates joy as resistance, honoring Malala Yousafzai and the Pelicot family

Press Releases

15th October 2025

6 mins

Equality Now welcomes Chief Justice of India’s acknowledgment of female genital mutilation in India

Press Releases

8th October 2025

8 mins

New report highlights legal loopholes that permit child marriage in 34 US states

Press Releases

7th October 2025

9 mins

The Paradox of progress and pushback: What UNGA 2025 tells us about the future of the rights of women and girls

News and Insights

6th October 2025

11 mins

Equality Now and Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan oppose reinstatement of the death penalty

News and Insights

6th October 2025

8 mins

Landmark ruling finally brings justice for survivors of wartime sexual violence in DRC

Press Releases

6th October 2025

12 mins

Experts warn of rise in medical professionals performing female genital mutilation/cutting in Asia

Press Releases

3rd October 2025

10 mins

Safe abortion is life-saving healthcare: A call to action

News and Insights

Latest event

Child Marriage in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: One Year After the release of CEFM Eurasia Report

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