Equality Now

Equality Now is an international human rights organization founded in 1992 with the mission of using the law to protect and promote the rights of women and girls around the world. With offices in New York, London, Nairobi, and Amman, Equality Now operates globally to challenge discriminatory laws, support survivors of human rights abuses, and advocate for legal reforms that advance gender equality.

Mission and Vision:

Equality Now envisions a world where women and girls have the same rights as men and boys, and where gender-based discrimination and violence are eradicated. The organization's mission is to achieve legal and systemic change that addresses inequality, with a focus on ending sexual violence, harmful practices, trafficking, and discrimination in law.

Core Areas of Focus:

1. Ending Sexual Violence:
   • Works to strengthen laws against rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.
   • Advocates for survivor-centered justice systems that support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
   • Challenges legal definitions and practices that hinder prosecution and justice.
2. Abolishing Harmful Practices:
   • Aims to eliminate practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
   • Collaborates with communities, governments, and international bodies to change laws and cultural norms.
   • Provides support to survivors and raises awareness about the consequences of these practices.
3. Ending Sex Trafficking:
   • Fights against the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation.
   • Promotes laws that criminalize traffickers and protect victims.
   • Works internationally to address the root causes and transnational nature of trafficking.
4. Achieving Legal Equality:
   • Identifies and challenges laws that discriminate against women and girls.
   • Campaigns for legal reforms that enshrine gender equality in constitutions and statutes.
   • Monitors governments' compliance with international human rights obligations.

Strategies and Approaches:

• Legal Advocacy:
  • Utilizes litigation, legislative advocacy, and policy development to effect change.
  • Brings cases to national courts and international human rights bodies.
  • Provides legal expertise and support to partners and activists.
• Campaigns and Mobilization:
  • Launches global campaigns to raise awareness and build public pressure for change.
  • Engages media, celebrities, and influencers to amplify messages.
  • Encourages grassroots participation and activism.
• Partnerships and Collaboration:
  • Works with local organizations, activists, and survivors to ensure culturally sensitive approaches.
  • Collaborates with governments, UN agencies, and NGOs to maximize impact.
  • Builds coalitions to strengthen advocacy efforts.

Notable Campaigns and Achievements:

1. The Global Campaign to End FGM:
   • Played a pivotal role in bringing international attention to FGM.
   • Successfully advocated for the adoption of laws banning FGM in several countries.
   • Supports community-based initiatives to change attitudes and practices.
2. Justice for Child Marriage Survivors:
   • Works to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 without exceptions.
   • Challenges child marriage laws and practices through legal action and advocacy.
   • Provides support and legal assistance to survivors seeking annulment or justice.
3. Equality Now's Adolescent Girls' Legal Defense Fund:
   • Provides financial and legal support to girls facing human rights violations.
   • Enables access to justice for cases that set important legal precedents.
   • Empowers girls to assert their rights and seek redress.
4. Discrimination in Law Database:
   • Created a comprehensive database of sex-discriminatory laws worldwide.
   • Serves as a tool for advocates and policymakers to identify areas needing reform.
   • Facilitates global efforts to achieve legal equality.

Impact and Influence:

• Legal Reforms:
  • Contributed to the enactment or strengthening of laws in over 50 countries.
  • Influenced international treaties and declarations that protect women's rights.
  • Helped repeal discriminatory laws, such as those permitting marital rape or denying inheritance rights.
• Survivor Support:
  • Directly assisted numerous survivors in obtaining justice and rebuilding their lives.
  • Established programs that offer legal aid, counseling, and rehabilitation services.
• Global Awareness:
  • Elevated issues like FGM and child marriage onto the international human rights agenda.
  • Shifted public discourse to recognize these practices as violations of fundamental rights.

Challenges and Ongoing Efforts:

• Cultural Resistance:
  • Navigates complex cultural norms and traditions that perpetuate harmful practices.
  • Employs sensitive, community-led approaches to foster change without imposing external values.
• Political Obstacles:
  • Faces resistance from governments unwilling to change discriminatory laws.
  • Works strategically to apply pressure through international bodies and public opinion.
• Resource Constraints:
  • Operates in regions with limited infrastructure and resources.
  • Prioritizes capacity-building for local partners to ensure sustainable progress.

Vision for the Future:

Equality Now remains committed to creating a legal landscape where gender equality is the norm:

• Strengthening International Mechanisms:
  • Advocates for robust international laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect women's rights.
  • Promotes accountability for governments that fail to uphold obligations.
• Expanding Reach:
  • Aims to address emerging issues such as online sexual exploitation and gender-based violence in conflict zones.
  • Seeks to engage new regions and communities in advocacy efforts.
• Empowering Women and Girls:
  • Focuses on amplifying the voices of those most affected by discrimination.
  • Supports leadership development and participation in decision-making processes.

Conclusion:

Equality Now has established itself as a formidable force in the global fight for women's rights. By leveraging the power of the law and uniting activists worldwide, the organization has achieved significant victories against discrimination and violence. Its holistic approach—combining legal action, advocacy, and community engagement—ensures that efforts are effective and sustainable. As challenges persist, Equality Now's unwavering dedication to justice and equality continues to inspire hope and drive progress toward a world where every woman and girl can live free from discrimination and violence.

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