Equality Now

At #CSW69, we launched our report, The Time is Now: End FGM/C - An Urgent Need for Global Response 2025, with a group of stakeholders from across the movement. Our global call was clear: FGM/C is a global practice and it demands global attention and action. Now. Hear from the team behind the report, why this work matters, what’s at stake, and why we need everyone in. ?Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dM6yJtYt End FGM EU The U.S. End FGM/C Network #TheTimeIsNow #EndFGM #Unite2EndFGM #StepUpToEndFGM #CSW69 #HumanRights

#HappeningNow in Connecticut: Testimony is underway on S.B. 1438, a bill to prohibit female genital mutilation (FGM). It has been grouped with a bill on gender-affirming care, even though these are two entirely separate issues. FGM is a human rights violation. Gender-affirming care is evidence-based healthcare. Confusing the two is dangerous and misleading. Connecticut is one of only nine states without an anti-FGM law. It's time to change that. ?? Watch live now: https://lnkd.in/dZpDska ?? Visit our website to learn more about the hearing https://lnkd.in/eFc6imAK ? #EndFGM #HumanRightsLaw #LegislationMatters #BodilyAutonomy

From ending harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriage to pushing for stronger legal protections, CSW69 was a powerful convergence of voices calling for urgent action on gender equality. In our latest article, we share key takeaways, standout moments, and what’s next in the movement for legal and gender equality—including how these conversations connect to Equality Now's Beijing+30 Words & Deeds report. ?? Read the round-up below. #CSW69 #Beijing30 #LegalEqualityNow #AddEquality #GenderJustice

Today at #CSW69, we are holding an event alongside SADC Parliamentary Forum and Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, New York, to launch our updated global report on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This essential report provides a deep dive into the global practice of FGM/C and underscores the need for a unified response to protect millions of women and girls. Key findings from the report, released in partnership with the End FGM EU and The U.S. End FGM/C Network, include: ?? FGM/C is documented in 94 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. ?? Over 230 million women and girls are affected worldwide—a 15% increase over previous estimates. ?? New evidence shows that FGM/C is being practiced in Azerbaijan, Vietnam, and Cambodia. ?? Only 59 of the 94 countries have specific legal frameworks addressing FGM/C, highlighting an urgent gap in protection. Efforts to end FGM/C are severely under resourced. We are calling for increased global investment, robust data collection, and enhanced support for survivors. With the executive summary available in #English, #Arabic, #French, #Spanish, and #Russian, head to our website to learn how we can accelerate global efforts and turn data into action in our efforts to end FGM/C. https://lnkd.in/euadwy2F #TheTimeIsNow #EndFGM #Unite2EndFGM

Equality Now congratulates Baroness Harriet Harman on her appointment as the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls At a time when women’s rights and gender equality face unprecedented challenges—from the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to increasing global unrest, the roll back on rights and purposeful moves by a number of governments to remove gender equality from their foreign policy agenda —strong leadership and legal advocacy have never been more critical. This is why Equality Now welcomes the appointment of Baroness Harman. As a lawyer, feminist, and champion for equality, Harriet has a remarkable track record of driving lasting change, including her instrumental role in the Equality Act. Her expertise and commitment to ending oppression, violence, and discrimination will be invaluable in shaping policies that protect and empower women and girls worldwide. At Equality Now, we firmly believe in the power of law and international human rights frameworks to create a more just world. We look forward to seeing how Harriet will champion these principles on the global stage. #GenderEquality #WomensRights #Leadership #EqualityNow #UKGovernment #FCDO

At #CSW69, we’re driving urgent conversations on ending sexual violence and securing legal equality for all women and girls worldwide. Bryna Keenan Subherwal, our Global Head of Advocacy Communications has rounded up the first week of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women. #CSW69 #Beijing30 #GenderJustice #LegalEqualityNow

One week into the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), one message is clear: gender equality is not only a moral imperative, but also an economic and social necessity. Experts across panels and high-level discussions have warned that without legal protections, hard-won gains for women and girls remain at risk. Through strategic partnerships and collaboration, this week we've engaged in key conversations to hold governments accountable and push for real, enforceable change. ?? We've ended week one feeling committed and connected. Want to know more? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter to get our full CSW download on Monday: https://bit.ly/4kJ8CZF ?? Looking ahead to #CSW week two, don’t miss team Equality Now at these two events: > The Time is Now: Launch of our updated Global Report on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Wed 19 March, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM EST at Church Center of the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plz, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017 Register here: https://bit.ly/4irzYBq > No Child Left a Bride: Successes & Setbacks in the Global Effort to End Child Marriage Wed 19 March, 10:00-11:15 am EST at United Nations Conference Building, Economic and Social Council Chamber 405 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017 Register here: https://bit.ly/4ktg4I4 Not in NYC? Watch live on UNTV: https://bit.ly/4kw9Ya0 ?? For the full agenda of where we’ve been, and where we’ll be, visit equalitynow.org/csw69. #CSW69 #GenderEquality

Canada’s decision to sign the Belém do Pará Convention marks a significant commitment to safeguarding women’s rights ?? This historic move reinforces the government’s dedication to combating violence against women while setting an important precedent for national and regional accountability. Earlier this week, Frances McRae, Deputy Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, spoke at our celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Belém do Pará Convention at #CSW69, reaffirming Canada's commitment to gender equality. We now urge full ratification and robust implementation measures, and we encourage the U.S. to take similar decisive action. Together, we can pave the way for a safer future for all women and girls. ?? Read our full statement: https://bit.ly/3FwPz4z #WomensRights #HumanRights #BelémDoParáConvention

?? 30 Years After the Beijing Platform for Action, Legal Protections Against Violence Remain Inadequate Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide—yet, three decades after the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, legal systems continue to fail survivors. Our Beijing+30 edition of Words & Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable reveals the stark reality: ?? 49 countries still lack laws protecting women from domestic violence ?? In multiple countries, rape laws include exemptions for spouses or require survivors to prove resistance ?? Legal loopholes still allow child marriage, increasing vulnerability to abuse ?? Many countries criminalize survivors rather than perpetrators, particularly in cases of so-called “honor” crimes and morality laws Without stronger legal protections and enforcement mechanisms, the global commitment to ending gender-based violence (GBV) remains an unfulfilled promise. ?? What needs to happen? ? Governments must repeal legal loopholes that enable gender-based violence ? All countries must criminalize marital rape and enforce survivor-centered justice systems ? Stronger accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure laws are effectively implemented Ending gender-based violence is a legal and moral obligation. At CSW69 and beyond, governments must act—not just pledge commitment. ?? Read the full analysis in our Beijing+30 Words & Deeds report: https://lnkd.in/eAuytXxH #Beijing30 #LegalEqualityNow #EndGBV #CSW69

?? We're hiring ?We are looking for new people to join our growing team ?? ?At Equality Now, we aspire to create a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law, and full enjoyment of their human rights. Our mission is gender equality. And how we get there matters. We offer a great experience for talented people who are passionate about equality. Is that you? ?We are currently recruiting for: ?? Communications and Media Intern (Kenya) ??? https://lnkd.in/eDmqNaec ? Regional Communications Officer (Must be based in Southern Africa) ??? https://lnkd.in/ewiAy6JW ? Graphic Designer (Must be based in Latin America and the Caribbean) ?? https://lnkd.in/eyvCC-Wk ? Executive Assistant to the Global Executive Director ?? https://lnkd.in/ey9k3Phe ?? Visit our website for more information and to apply equalitynow.org/careers #Hiring #NewJob #RemoteJobs #Vacancies #WomensRights #GenderEquality