Author | Lightnews

Legal gaps and enduring harm: Analysing the persistence of child marriage in the United States

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · 14d

Since 2000, 314,000+ minors have been married in the US, and only 16 states prohibit underage marriage without exception.

This #IDGC read our new report to understand why laws continue to allow #ChildMarriage in the US and how to end it. equalitynow.org/resource/rep...

Discover Equality Now’s new report exposing legal loopholes that allow child marriage in the US and key actions needed to protect girls’ rights.

Interview | Erasing ‘gender’: How Georgia’s new draconian laws affect women’s rights

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · 17d

Our Regional Representative for Eurasia, Tamar Dekanosidze, speaks to OC Media about how #Georgia’s new laws threaten women’s rights.

Read her insights oc-media.org/interview-er...

As Georgia continues to backslide on its commitments to both the EU and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG5 on gender equality — Tamar Dekanosidze discusses the chilling…

oc-media.org

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · 22d

In Sonora, #Mexico, criminal legislation still does not guarantee effective justice for adolescent survivors of sexual violence. But, progress is being made toward a #consent-based legal reform.

🔗 Read more about our work

In Sonora, Mexico, progress is being made toward a consent-based legal reform

Hosted by award-winning journalist Samira Ahmed, We Change the Rules is essential listening for anyone interested in achieving legal, political, and systematic gender equality everywhere.

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Sep 18

Legal inequality is driving the gender pay gap. Women earn ~23% less than men, and are more likely to lack paid leave and pensions.

These are legal failures, and they’re changeable.

🔗 This #EqualPayDay find out more about how you can support our work equalitynow.org/get-involved/

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Sep 11

30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action, laws that discriminate on the basis of sex still exist.

🎧 In our podcast, We Change the Rules, hosted by Samira Ahmed, we explore how far we’ve come, and what’s still left to do.

Listen: equalitynow.org/policy-and-p...

#Beijing30 #GenderEquality

We Change the Rules

Georgian Dream strikes at civil society, freezing NGO bank accounts

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Aug 29

#Georgia: Freezing the bank accounts of seven leading NGOs – including organisations focusing on women’s rights – is an assault on justice, equality, and human rights values. Equality Now stands in solidarity with them.

bit.ly/4g3px79

Pro-European groups vow defiance: “We will not cease our work.”

bit.ly

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Aug 12

This #InternationalYouthDay, we're spotlighting a critical gap in global digital policymaking: Young people are being excluded from decisions that shape their digital lives.
It’s time their voices were heard. 🔗 equalitynow.org/news/news-an...

#DigitalRights#YouthVoices @audrights.bsky.social

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 30

July 30th is #WorldDayAgainstTrafficking in Persons.

#SexTrafficking is one of the most entrenched forms of gender-based violence. We and our partners are advancing an ecosystem approach to ending trafficking for sexual exploitation. Learn more: buff.ly/0eIkJ5E

#WDATP

Gender Justice in Iran: UN UPR adopts our key recommendations, but FGM is still ignored

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 29

The UN adopted many of our calls submitted in our 2024 report on #Iran, but we remain deeply concerned that #FGM was not directly addressed, despite credible data showing its prevalence in multiple provinces and our clear call for a national ban

Read the full blog: equalitynow.org/news/news-an...

Explore the Iran UPR and its impact on human rights as countries review Iran's record and provide essential recommendations.

A more equal future is possible - If we act now

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 25

Over 2.5B women & girls lack equal rights under the law.

At our #HLPF2025 event, leaders from Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Spain, international orgs, and civil society said the same thing: We can’t to wait 300 years for legal equality - we can act now. 🔗 Read the recap: buff.ly/FJTzYtG

#Beijing30

Where There’s Fire, There Are Women Carrying Water

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 24

In her latest piece for @msmagazine.com, Equality Now’s Global Executive Director, @monasinha.bsky.social, reflects on growing up in Kolkata and how the quiet lessons of girlhood remain relevant in today’s rising social and political heat: msmagazine.com/2025/07/19/s...

#FeministLeadership

From the scorching summers of girlhood in India to the political heat of today, the fires that silence us are fuel to fight Trump and patriarchy.

msmagazine.com

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 24

H.R. 3492 misrepresents #FGM by equating it with gender-affirming care.

This harmful bill weakens protections for girls at risk and stigmatises trans communities.

Read our joint open letter with 90+ orgs calling on the US Congress to reject it:
🔗 buff.ly/fs9axis

#EndFGM #RejectHR3492

Our impact - Equality Now

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 18

Legal change doesn’t happen alone.

In 2024, we partnered with 267+ orgs in 52 countries and led 24 coalitions.

One shared goal: lasting gender justice.

🌍 See our global reach: equalitynow.org/what-we-do/o...

#GlobalPartnerships #GenderJustice #EqualityNow

In 2024, Equality Now improved justice for over 52 million women & girls.

Gender-Discriminatory Nationality Laws are Fueling Poverty & Violence Against Women

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 18

Gender-discriminatory nationality laws persist in over 45 countries, fueling poverty and gender-based violence. Catherine Harrington of Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights tells Equality Now why reforming these laws is key to a just society for all.

Read more: shorturl.at/ueEH7

Maithreyi Kamalanathan is Global Media Coordinator, Equality Now

shorturl.at

The time is now: Accelerating equality through law and inclusion at the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum - Equality Now

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 16

At #HLPF2025, we're showing that legal equality isn't a dream, it's doable.

This Thursday, @equalitynow is co-hosting:
“Accelerating Equality in Law”
“Women with Disabilities & GBV”

📍 UNHQ, July 17

🔗 buff.ly/oFBt4kF

Proposed Select Draft Articles on Nationality Rights to Ensure Gender Equality - Equality Now

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 15

Every person deserves the right to a nationality. Every woman deserves equal rights before the law.

The Equality Now and Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights Proposed Select Draft Articles show governments how to get there.

📥 Download now buff.ly/2np9efF

#Beijing30 #NationalityLaw

Equality Now’s draft legal articles offer a global blueprint for ending gender discrimination in nationality laws, advancing SDG 5, protecting families, and upholding international human rights…

In 2024, Equality Now improved justice for over 52 million women & girls.

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 14

What changed in 2024?

✅ Child marriage banned in Colombia
✅ GBV laws strengthened in Kyrgyzstan
✅ Anti-trafficking progress in Malawi

These are real reforms, led by global partnerships.

🔗 Discover the progress: equalitynow.org/what-we-do/o...

#EqualityWins #LegalChange #EqualityNow

Our impact

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 11

It’s official: Missouri has banned #childmarriage. The Governor signed a law making marriage under 18 illegal, no exceptions. A huge win for survivors, advocates & children across the state.

231 minors were legally married in the state from 2019–21. That ends now.

#EndChildMarriage

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 10

Discriminatory laws still hold women & girls back worldwide. 🌍

On 17 July, join leaders & advocates at #HLPF2025 to explore how legal equality can unlock the SDGs & deliver real change.

Register at equalitynow.org/event/gender...

#GenderEquality #LegalEquality

5 Things You Should Know About Widows' Rights in the MENA Region - Equality Now

Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jul 10

In 2024, global gender equality faced new challenges. But together, we advanced justice for over 52M women and girls.

Our latest Impact Report shows what’s possible when we persist.

🔗 equalitynow.org/what-we-do/o...

#GenderEquality #LegalReform #EqualityNow

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Equality Now @equalitynow.bsky.social · Jun 23

On #InternationalWidowsDay, we’re spotlighting legal barriers faced by widows in MENA: from unequal inheritance laws to child custody battles shaped by patriarchal guardianship systems. Legal reform is urgent.

Learn more: equalitynow.org/news_and_ins...

#WidowsRights #LegalEquality

Today, 23 June, is International Widows Day, a day to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they need. According to the United Nations, there…