At Equality Now, we are guided by an unwavering belief: every woman and girl deserves to live a life free from violence and discrimination, in a world where every person has the opportunity to thrive economically, socially, and politically. This belief has fueled our work for over three decades, driving us to challenge injustice and advocate for legal reform to protect and promote the rights of women and girls.

Changing these discriminatory laws takes time, and often begins with changing hearts and minds. To achieve this, we draw upon the collective wisdom of a large and diverse community of women and partner organizations from around the world. We combine our lived experience and local knowledge with our own legal expertise and global resources.

In a world plagued by rising conflicts, divisive politics, and laws that continue to violate the human rights of women and girls, it’s easy to question whether real, lasting change is possible… to trust that we can hold the line against a rising tide of anti-rights hardliners. But our answer lies in the power of togetherness.

The Strength of Unity

The answer is told by every click on a report, every connection made, every news article shared, every signature on an open letter, every new diversity and inclusion policy, every pair of ears listening at the UN, every dollar donated. The answer is spoken by the voices from every background that says, “Let’s do better for women and girls.”

And together, we have already changed the lives of millions through legal reform:

• 900,000 non-Muslim women in the UAE now have greater financial security after reforms to inheritance laws.
• In Kyrgyzstan, a legal amendment prevents the termination of rape cases due to reconciliation, better protecting 1.1 million women and girls at risk of sexual violence.
• With South Sudan and Botswana ratifying the Maputo Protocol, 6.9 million women and girls have the potential for increased legal protection against violence and legal inequality.
• 168,000 women and girls in Bahrain have increased protection against sexual violence following the cancellation of a provision allowing rapists to escape punishment by marrying their victims.
• An estimated 25,000 women and girls in Washington State are legally protected from female genital mutilation (FGM) following successful campaigning for anti-FGM legislation.
• 1.7 million girls in Zambia now have greater legal protection from child marriage, thanks to the Marriage (Amendment) Act of 2023.

Together we can. Together we have. Together we will.