Proposed select draft articles on nationality rights to ensure gender equality

Discriminatory nationality laws continue to harm women and their families in over 45 countries around the world. Equality Now’s newly launched “Proposed Select Draft Articles on Nationality Rights to Ensure Gender Equality” is a legal blueprint to help governments reform unjust laws and deliver on gender equality, Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5), and human rights for all.

Why now?
Despite decades of progress, more than 45 countries still have laws that deny women the same rights as men to pass on their nationality to their children. These laws often lead to family separation, statelessness, lack of access to education, healthcare, and employment. As global reviews of SDG 5 and the Beijing Platform for Action take centre stage at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025, this publication provides a timely and practical tool for reform.