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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The United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls (WGDAWG) 

The United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls will visit Zimbabwe to understand issues related to discrimination against women and girls.

Kazakhstan – Information for Consideration by Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at its Pre-Sessional Working Group in July 2025

In our submission, we detail concerns regarding laws related to sexual violence and child and forced marriage, as well as procedures and practices that effectively deny access to justice for women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and child and forced marriage.

Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

Equality Now calls for stronger implementation of the Maputo Protocol, including lifting reservations, reforming discriminatory laws, ending FGM, and ensuring State accountability.

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