16th June 2021

Submission on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression of Victims and Survivors of Sexual Violence and Exploitation

This submission is our response to the Call for Submissions on Gender Justice and the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression issued by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Key takeaways and recommendations

The submission details concerns, gaps, challenges, and good practices in addressing the protection of victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and violence, particularly regarding denial of freedom of expression in the context of defamation cases against survivors of sexual violence and prioritization of freedom of expression over safety and protection from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

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Advancing digital rights and legal reforms to end technology-facilitated gender-based violence and protect women and girls in Southern Africa

Equality Now and AUDRi, in partnership with the Southern Africa Youth Forum, co-hosted a side event on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 16 August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The discussion centred on how advancing digital rights for women, girls, and other marginalised groups through legal reforms can help end TFGBV, with a particular focus on tackling online sexual exploitation and abuse.

Recommendations to SADC heads of State and Government on strengthening protection and support mechanisms for survivors of child marriage

Equality Now, together with the Stop Violence – Stop Child Marriage Project, YWCA Madagascar, Plan International, SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), convened a side event at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 15 August 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Protection and Support Mechanisms for Survivors of Child Marriage.”

The state of gender equality in the US: A Universal Periodic Review shadow report

This shadow report outlines how the U.S. is failing to meet international human rights obligations on sex equality, child marriage, FGM/C, and online sexual abuse, urging action ahead of its 2025 Universal Periodic Review.

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