7th November 2015

Learning from cases of girls’ rights

Representing the knowledge gained from cases undertaken as part of Equality Now’s Adolescent Girls’ Legal Defense Fund (AGLDF), this report identifies and addresses the common obstacles faced by adolescent girls in their pursuit of justice.

Key takeaways and recommendations

Since its inception in 2008, the AGLDF has taken up nine cases involving various forms of sexual violence, the most common abuse suffered by girls, in seven countries.

This paper consolidates and aggregates the lessons learned from these cases in our effort to establish legal precedents to prevent and better address future violations of girls’ rights.

Explore more resources

1

2

3

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.

Access to justice without discrimination in Colombia

An in-depth report exposing how structural discrimination limits access to justice for survivors of sexual violence in Colombia, with a focus on Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and disabled girls and women.

Global backlash against women’s and girls’ rights – Words and Deeds update 2025

Equality Now’s Words & Deeds 2025 update highlights rising global threats to women’s and girls’ rights, including regressive laws, misuse of multilateral systems, increased risks for defenders and disinformation, documenting legal and policy rollbacks that undermine gender equality.

Newsletter Sign-up

Make a donation

I want to donate