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Equality Now

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    • (Left to Right) Dr Sibanda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; and Isheanesu Chirisa, WLSA National Director, at the report launch in Harare, Zimbabwe, on May 27, 2025. Photo Credit: Dennis Chiroodza
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Source: Equality Now |

Women and Law in Southern Africa and Equality Now Call for Urgent Legal Reform to Support Child Marriage Survivors in Zimbabwe

Since the lapsing of the National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage in 2021, a new national action plan has yet to be adopted, affecting the implementation of laws and policies on child marriage

A new study commissioned by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) (https://WLSAZim.co.zw/), with support from Equality Now (https://apo-opa.co/4kxQG3t), has found that although Zimbabwe has introduced commendable legislative and policy measures to prevent child marriage, survivors still face significant challenges. WLSA and Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) are calling upon the Government…

Equality Now
Source: Equality Now |

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Must Push for Reforms to Protect Women and Girls, urges Equality Now

The NGO called on the Commission to implore governments to criminalise femicide - the most extreme and brutal manifestation of violence against women

Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) is urging the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to call upon African Union (AU) member states to urgently address rising sexual violence and exploitation of women and girls across the continent. In its statement to the 83rd Ordinary Session of the Commission this month, the…

Equality Now

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    • Photo credit: Tadwein for Gender Studies
    • Photo credit: Tadwein for Gender Studies
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New Study Reveals Changing Attitudes to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Among Sudanese Communities in Egypt

FGM is internationally recognized as a serious human rights violation involving the partial or complete removal of, or injury to, external female genitalia for non-medical reasons

Since Sudan’s devastating war erupted in April 2023, over a million people have fled to neighbouring Egypt seeking refuge. Both countries have laws banning female genital mutilation (FGM), but despite this, Sudan and Egypt have some of the highest rates of FGM globally. A timely new study, Female Genital Mutilation…

Equality Now

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    • Photo credit: S.Mona Sinha, Equality Now, at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Photographer: Joel Sheakoski
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New report finds sexist laws persist worldwide

Over the last 30 years, more than 60 countries have liberalized their abortion laws

 A new global report analyzing sex discrimination in laws reveals that while some commendable gains have been achieved in strengthening legal protections for women and girls over the past five years, progress remains slow, uneven, and increasingly under threat from a growing backlash against women’s rights.   Research by Equality Now…

Equality Now
Source: Equality Now |

New report finds female genital mutilation / cutting in 94 countries

Small-scale surveys, estimates, and personal accounts from survivors, activists, and grassroots organizations shed new light on the urgent need to expand protection and prevention efforts

A new report has collated evidence of female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C) in 94 countries, revealing how this harmful practice exists in more communities than previously recognized and the number of girls and women affected or at risk exceeds earlier estimates. Efforts to end FGM/C remain hindered by reluctance from…

Equality Now

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    • Gaps in rape laws in Africa are enabling perpetrators to avoid punishment
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Gaps in rape laws in Africa are enabling perpetrators to avoid punishment

Although some African jurisdictions have implemented progressive rape laws, significant legal, procedural, and societal barriers continue to undermine justice for sexual violence survivors

Across Africa, rape is one of the most common crimes. New research reveals how inadequate criminalization of rape, weak legal implementation, rape myths, and victim-blaming are just some of the barriers to justice that survivors face. These obstacles prevent many cases from reaching court, with even fewer resulting in convictions,…

Equality Now
Source: Equality Now |

Women in Africa face widespread discrimination in family laws

The impacts of discriminatory family laws can be profound, putting women and girls at greater risk of sexual and gender-based violence

Discrimination against women and girls remains widespread in family laws across Africa, finds new research by Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org). Analysis of twenty African countries reveals gender inequality in marriage, divorce, custody, and property rights is being perpetuated by sex discrimination institutionalized within legal systems and customary laws. While some significant legal…

Equality Now

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    • Maputo Protocol 20th anniversary celebrations, July 11 2023. Image source: Equality Now
    • Hon. Aisha Jumwa, the Cabinet Secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Public Affairs, Gender and Affirmative Action. Image source: Equality Now
    • Maputo Protocol 20th Anniversary celebration in Nairobi, Kenya. Image source: Equality Now
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African Countries Show Progress in Advancing Women’s Rights: Landmark Report on the Maputo Protocol

The Protocol explicitly condemns harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and violence against women

To mark the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol and to promote the continued adoption and implementation of its progressive provisions, the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR) (www.SOAWR.org), Equality Now (https://apo-opa.info/46ORZo4), and Make Every Woman Count (MEWC) (www.MEWC.org) has released the landmark report, 20 Years of the Maputo…

Equality Now

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    • Maputo Protocol 20 for 20 Solidarity Awards Announced, Voting Open
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Maputo Protocol 20 for 20 Solidarity Awards Announced, Voting Open

The 20 for 20 Solidarity Awards recognize those who have steered the arduous complexities of gender inequality in Africa in the hope that this will inspire others to make a difference

The Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) (www.SOAWR.org) Coalition has launched the 20 for 20 Solidarity Awards to commemorate Africa Day and the 20th Anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol). Founded in 2004,…

Equality Now

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    • From Left: Ms. Judy Gitau, Africa Regional Coordinator at Equality Now, Ms. Chinwe Ogbonna–Deputy Regional Director at UNFPA ESARO and Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General, SADC Parliamentary Forum holding policy briefs during the SADC Parliamentary Forum on domesticating the Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage | 10th May, 2023 Johannesburg, South Africa (Photo Credit: Equality Now)
    • Ending Child Marriages in Southern Africa
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Countries in Southern Africa urged to Strengthen Legal Protections against Child Marriage

Child marriage places girls at increased risk of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and it keeps many trapped in a cycle of poverty

Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries have taken commendable action to strengthen legal protections; however, there has been little or no progress by other Member States, and greater efforts are needed across the board to end child marriage. Child marriage remains a widespread and persistent problem across Southern Africa. Two…