ICYMI: News from Equality Now

This week, Equality Now joined organizations and activists around the world in marking Human Rights Day.

A life free from violence is a human right, yet over her lifetime, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence — regardless of age, background, or country. However, despite the pervasiveness of these crimes, laws worldwide are insufficient, inconsistent, and not systematically enforced.

At Equality Now, we know that ending sexual violence everywhere requires good laws, effective implementation, and intersectional analysis. Our expert resource center is packed with analysis, model laws, and legal manuals to support this effort.

>>> Explore our resource center today

Explore a round-up of our latest blogs and resources on gender equality and the law, including sexual violence, female genital mutilation, and child marriage.

Child Marriage: A Gateway to Rape

Child marriage is a grave issue that continues to plague the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, leading to dire consequences for young girls who are thrust into adulthood prematurely. In a recent blog as part of 16 Days of Activism, Equality Now and the Hurra Coalition delved into the harrowing realities of child marriage, exposing the intrinsic link between this practice and sexual violence.?

Our comprehensive approach involves robust legal advocacy to enforce and enhance laws prohibiting child marriage, ensuring these reforms are effectively implemented. I am deeply committed to our mission of eradicating child marriage. This harmful practice not only robs young girls of their childhood but also subjects them to lifelong consequences, including health risks, lack of education, and exposure to violence.

Dima A.M. Dabbous, PhD , Equality Now's MENA Regional Representative

>>> Read and share our recent blog

Sexual Violence: Not just a Woman’s issue?

Sexual violence impacts millions of people around the world every day. It can take the form of rape, sexual abuse, molestation, or domestic violence, to name a few. Yet, despite its pervasive nature—what could rightly be called a global epidemic—it is too often dismissed as a “women’s issue.” It’s a topic whispered about behind closed doors or shouted about in rallies, but in most cases, the burden of addressing it, and far too often the blame, falls on women and survivors.

The truth is, sexual violence and its devastating consequences affect us all. It leaves lasting scars in our communities, batters survivors, and exposes the failures of our legal systems. Sexual violence is not “theirs,” “his,” or “hers” to address. It is ours. And collectively we need to take action to eliminate it.?

>>> Read the latest from our expert team on how we can collectively end sexual violence

Washington D.C. Has a Key Opportunity to End Female Genital Mutilation, Protecting Thousands?

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a serious violation of the rights of women and girls, yet this issue has long been ignored in the United States capital, Washington D.C.(District of Columbia). Currently, there is no specific law against FGM in the D.C. But this could soon change when The Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Act of 2023, passed by the Council of the District of Columbia, is signed into law in the coming days. The Bill seeks to prevent FGM within Washington D.C. by holding those who knowingly perform or consent to FGM on any individual accountable.?

According to 2013 estimates by the Population Reference Bureau, 51,411 women and girls have undergone or are at risk of FGM in Washington D.C. This staggering figure, based solely on reported FGM prevalence data in diaspora communities, is over a decade old, further highlighting the urgent need for updated statistics and action.?

Although awareness of FGM often centers on immigrant communities, this narrative overlooks its occurrence in other groups, including in Christian communities within the U.S.

>>> Read more from our Program Officer Anastasia Law

Celebrating Historic Milestones for Women’s Leadership in Africa

Equality Now warmly congratulates Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her historic election as Namibia’s first woman President and Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on becoming Ghana’s first female Vice President-elect. These groundbreaking victories mark a pivotal moment not only for Namibia and Ghana but for the entire African continent, as they reaffirm the power and potential of women’s leadership in the highest levels of public office.

For decades, women in Africa have worked tirelessly to shatter glass ceilings and dismantle systemic barriers to equality. The elections of these formidable leaders represent a monumental step forward. Their leadership has the power to inspire millions, advance the fight for gender equality, and prioritize women’s rights on national and regional agendas. As history has shown, when women are in positions of power, issues such as education for girls, ending gender-based violence, and economic empowerment receive the critical attention they deserve.

We celebrate this transformative moment as a signal of progress and a catalyst for change. Equality Now stands in solidarity with women across Africa and the world as we work towards a future where equal representation and opportunity are not exceptions but the norm.

To President-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President-elect Opoku-Agyemang: your leadership will inspire generations to come, proving that when women lead, nations thrive.

Together, we can strive for a future where all women—regardless of where they live—are protected, empowered, and guaranteed justice.

>>> Explore more resources on the effective implementation of sexual violence laws on our website.

Hear directly from our teams around the world. Last week we launched two new LinkedIn channels, Equality Now Africa and Equality Now Latin America and the Caribbean bringing you news and insights directly from Equality Now’s expert team in the regions.