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Zawya
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Our Rights are Non-Negotiable: How Reservations to the Maputo Protocol are Holding Back Women's Rights in Africa (By Deborah Nyokabi and Gicuku Kiragu)
By Deborah Nyokabi ( and Gicuku Kiragu ( Legal Equality Experts, Equality Now ( July 2025 marks 22 years since the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa ( - known as the Maputo Protocol - by the African Union Heads of State Assembly. Over the past two decades, the Protocol has played a pivotal role in advancing the rights of women and girls across the continent. Yet, despite this progress, its full promise remains unfulfilled for millions due to shortfalls in ratification, domestication, and effective implementation by many African governments. Reservations to the Maputo Protocol - instances when states choose not to be bound by specific provisions of the treaty - continue to limit key rights such as access to safe abortion, protection from child marriage, fair legal treatment in divorce, and the right to inherit property. These reservations, often supported by cultural or religious justifications, have real-life and potentially devastating consequences, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence and marginalised women and girls who are especially in need of legal protection. W omen's rights are increasingly under threat from rollback Reservations against the Protocol constrict the scope of legal protections at a time when hard-won women's rights are increasingly being undermined by rollbacks around the world. In Africa ( and elsewhere, anti-gender actors are a serious threat to women's rights ( gender and sexuality diversity, and democracy itself. This concerning trend is highlighted in Equality Now's 2025 report, Words&Deeds: Holding Governments Accountable in the Beijing+30 Review Process ( which identifies how legal protections for women and girls in some countries have been weakened or overturned through regressive legislative changes, judicial rulings, and funding cuts. State reservations against the Maputo Protocol hinder women's human rights The option to enter reservations on treaty documents is integral to the international human rights system. It serves as a tool for encouraging states to ratify treaty documents with the assurance that they can maintain and protect their sovereignty. However, this flexibility comes with significant drawbacks ( to human rights as a whole. The Maputo Protocol is a legally binding treaty that seeks to 'ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realised and protected ( in order to enable them to fully enjoy all their human rights.' When states enter reservations, they effectively lower the minimum human rights standards established by the Protocol within their jurisdictions, undermining its overall impact. As a result, reservations have hindered, both legally and in practice, the treaty's ability to comprehensively improve the lives of women and girls in the affected countries. For example, Uganda's reservations to Article 14(1)(a), which calls for adequate, affordable and accessible health services, and Article 14(2)(c), focusing on protecting women's reproductive rights, has significantly limited women's reproductive autonomy and has contribute to high rates of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, particularly among survivors of rape and incest. In Kenya, the reservation to Article 14(2)(c) contradicts its own Constitution and contributes to at least 2,600 maternal deaths annually from unsafe abortions. Kenya has also opted out of commitments under Article 10(3), which calls on States Parties to take necessary measures to reduce military expenditure, resulting in lower investment for essential maternal healthcare and social development. Mauritius's reservation on Article 14(2)(c) has prevented the provision of comprehensive reproductive healthcare. While allowing abortion under limited circumstances, imposing police reporting requirements and a 14-week limit leaves many women and girls without viable options. State reservations of the Maputo Protocol are failing families and women Countries' reservations to Article 6, which relates to marriage, enable marriage inequality and child marriage. For example, Ethiopia and South Africa's reservations permit unregistered marriages, exposing women to increased risk of child marriage and denying them legal protections in marital disputes. Namibia's failure to recognise customary marriages means women in such unions lack legal safeguards in divorce or inheritance, a situation unaddressed even in its new Marriage Act of 2024. In Algeria, the state's reservation allows for exceptions to the legal minimum age of marriage, enabling child marriage to persist under civil and customary law. Reservations on Article 7 - governing separation, divorce and annulment of marriage - restrict women's ability to seek divorce unless they meet specific conditions. Even in no-fault cases, women must pay a cash settlement to their husbands. Meanwhile, Algeria's reservations against Article 14, which outlines reproductive rights, have also fostered conditions that perpetuate child marriage, obstruct women's access to divorce, and deny rape survivors access to safe abortion. Reservations to Article 7 in Ethiopia enable non-judicial separations, with couples informally separating without going to court. This undermines legal oversight and often results in unfair property settlements and loss of child custody for women. Ethiopia's reservation to Article 21 on inheritance limits widows' rights as the state requires them to be explicitly named in a will, leaving many economically vulnerable. In the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), reservations block widows' rights to protection from degrading treatment and undermine their custodial and remarriage rights, reinforcing patriarchal control and exclusion. The SADR has issued multiple sweeping reservations, including on integrating gender perspectives in national policy, ensuring equality in family law, and protecting widows' rights. These undermine not only legal reforms but the broader societal shifts required for gender equality. Restrictions on reproductive rights further compound the oppression of women in this territory. Calling on governments to withdraw reservations against the Maputo Protocol The adoption in March 2025 of Resolution 632 (LXXXII) 2025 on the Need to Raise Awareness for States to Withdraw Reservations on Some Provisions of the Maputo Protocol ( by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is a welcome move as this resolution will help develop a framework to guide African Union Member States on lifting reservations in collaboration with stakeholders, including Equality Now. In the face of growing resistance to gender equality and mounting efforts to erode women's rights across Africa and globally, the Maputo Protocol stands as a robust legal framework to safeguard hard-won gains and push for further progress. However, the Protocol's transformative potential can only be fulfilled if states withdraw the reservations that dilute its protections. These carve-outs deny millions of women and girls access to justice, safety, autonomy, and equality. It is imperative that all stakeholders stand together to resist the growing anti-gender backlash and hold the line in defence of equality and justice for all. Women's human rights are not negotiable. They are inalienable, indivisible, interdependent, and universal. At this pivotal moment, African governments must uphold all their legal and moral obligations under the Protocol and collaborate meaningfully with civil society to ensure that every woman and girl in Africa can live with dignity, free from violence, discrimination, and inequality. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now. For media enquiries, contact: Michelle Tuva, Regional Communications Officer, Africa, mtuva@ Tara Carey, Global Head of Media, Equality Now, Tcarey@ T. +44 (0)7971556340 (available on WhatsApp and Signal) Social Media: Bluesky: Facebook: Instagram: LinkedIn: About Equality Now: Equality Now ( is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls. Since its inception in 1992, it has played a role in reforming 120 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities and nations, both now and for generations to come. Working with partners at national, regional and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality, to the benefit of all. 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Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Actress Marisa Tomei Launches Terra Mare: A Revolutionary Women's Wellness Brand
Empowering Women Through Science-Backed, Tailored Wellness Solutions LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra Mare™, the innovative supplement brand founded by award-winning actress, producer, and activist Marisa Tomei, has officially launched. Terra Mare is the latest innovator in women's health, dedicated to empowering women with science-based wellness solutions tailored specifically to female biology. Terra Mare addresses the unique challenges women face, including metabolic issues, hormones, and increased health risks often overlooked by conventional healthcare. Named after the Italian words for 'Earth' and 'Sea,' Terra Mare is committed to using organic, premium ingredients sourced from around the world. Terra Mare supports the health and vitality of your entire body. Embracing aging as a natural and beautiful journey, Terra Mare provides solutions designed to promote overall well-being while helping to maintain youthful energy and radiance. Marisa Tomei's commitment to holistic wellness is central to Terra Mare's mission. By emphasizing root-cause solutions and scientific research, Terra Mare aims to redefine women's health and support women through every stage of their journey. Terra Mare is not only dedicated to providing women with cutting-edge health solutions but also to supporting their overall well-being. As part of this commitment, Terra Mare is proud to support Equality Now, a human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of women and girls worldwide. Terra Mare launched with a lineup of products designed to meet the unique needs of women: For more information about Terra Mare and its product offerings, please visit About Terra Mare Terra Mare is a pioneering supplement brand founded by acclaimed actress, producer, and activist Marisa Tomei. Dedicated to empowering women through every stage of life, Terra Mare offers science-based wellness solutions uniquely designed for female biology. Rooted in cutting-edge biological research and a holistic approach to health, Terra Mare is committed to redefining women's wellness with science-backed solutions that promote long-term health and vitality. For more information, follow us on Instagram and Facebook About Marisa Tomei Marisa Tomei is an acclaimed actress, producer, and activist renowned for her exceptional performances in film and television. She is best known for her Oscar-winning role as Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny, her portrayal of MayParker in the Spider-Man franchise, and her work in In the Bedroom and The Wrestler. Beyond her illustrious acting career, Tomei is deeply committed to women's health and wellness. This commitment has led her to establish Terra Mare, a pioneering wellness brand focused on providing science-based solutions tailored to female biology. Tomei's vision for Terra Mare is to support women through every stage of life. As she embraces her sixties with vitality, Tomei remains dedicated to reshaping the narrative around health, using her platform to advocate for wellness and share her insights with a global audience. To learn more, follow Marisa on Instagram. About Equality Now Equality Now is a feminist organization using the law to protect and promote the human rights of all women and girls. Through a powerful combination of grassroots activism and legal advocacy, Equality Now drives systematic change by pushing governments to enact and enforce laws that safeguard gender equality. Since 1992, Equality Now's international network of lawyers, activists, and supporters have held governments responsible for ending legal inequality, sexual exploitation, sexual violence, and harmful practices. Equality Now aims to fulfil its mission through the feminist principles of equality, anti-discrimination, inclusion, autonomy, and dignity. *All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary. †These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Media Contact [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Terra Mare
Zawya
03-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Women and Law in Southern Africa and Equality Now Call for Urgent Legal Reform to Support Child Marriage Survivors in Zimbabwe
A new study commissioned by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) ( with support from Equality Now ( 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 ( are calling upon the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to provide enhanced protection and support by strengthening legal, institutional, and policy frameworks, particularly for those already affected by child marriage. An Analysis of the Laws and Policies in Place for the Protection and Support of Victims/Survivors of Child Marriages in Zimbabwe: A case Study for Epworth' ( features valuable insights from child marriage survivors and civil society organisations interviewed in Epworth, a densely populated settlement in Harare with over 200,000 residents. Widespread poverty, limited access to public services, and lack of access to information, legal support, and protection accountability contribute to persistently high rates of child marriage in the community. The accompanying policy brief, 'Imperative Legal, Policy and Institutional Reforms for Enhanced Support and Protection of Child Marriage Victims and Survivors' ( summarises gaps in laws and other measures identified in the study, and puts forward key recommendations for legal reforms. Survivors of child marriage experience numerous difficulties, including susceptibility to gender-based violence (GBV), extreme poverty, and a lack of access to education, employment, and income. Stigma, low acceptance from their own families, obstacles in obtaining birth registration certificates for their children, and inaccessible and unaffordable maternal, sexual, and reproductive health and psychosocial support services are also critical challenges they experience. Without comprehensive and adequately resourced support mechanisms, along with awareness raising about legal protections and available services, child marriage will continue to have life-long lasting and irreversible effects on survivors, their families, and the wider society. Zimbabwe's legal commitments on child marriage With an estimated 34% of girls married ( before age 18, Zimbabwe ranks among the top 20 countries in Africa with the highest prevalence of child marriage. To address this, Zimbabwe has made significant commitments through national legislation, regional instruments, and international treaties. The Marriages Act (Chapter 5:17), enacted in 2022, sets 18 as the minimum legal age of marriage without exceptions and prohibits child marriage. Additionally, Zimbabwe's Constitution (Amendment No. 20, 2013) protects against forced marriage by mandating that 'no marriage is entered into without the free and full consent of the intending spouses.' The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Children's Act impose penalties for child exploitation and abuse. The National Gender Policy (2017) and the National Development Strategy (2021–2025) reflect a rights-based approach to gender equality and child protection. Regionally and internationally, Zimbabwe has ratified key instruments, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Maputo Protocol, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Zimbabwe has also domesticated the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Child Marriage. These instruments underscore the country's legal commitment and moral obligation to uphold children's rights and ensure free and informed consent in marriage. Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Isheanesu Chirisa, WLSA National Director, stated: 'Child marriage is a gross human rights violation that does not get nearly enough attention in Zimbabwe. It robs girls of their lives and futures.' Zimbabwe must update its legal frameworks on child marriage While these positive legal and policy commitments are commendable, WLSA and Equality Now are concerned that such efforts have not been matched by adequate support systems addressing the trauma and systemic disadvantages that survivors of child marriage face. The study highlights how some policy and legal frameworks are outdated, and there is an absence of a comprehensive support framework, inconsistent sentencing for perpetrators, and a lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services. Delayed policy updates and education reforms further disadvantage survivors, making it difficult for affected girls to return to school. For example, the Marriages Act, the Children's Act, and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act contain provisions that criminalise child exploitation and abuse. However, Zimbabwe's legal and policy framework fails to provide meaningful protection, legal remedies, or access to essential services for survivors of child marriage. In addition, while the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Coordination Forum applies a multi-stakeholder approach to combat GBV, including providing support to child marriage survivors, its effectiveness is hampered by underfunding, inadequate resources to coordinate meetings with forum members, and duplication of work alongside overlapping and unclear mandates between government ministries and other organisations. 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. As highlighted by Dr Mavis Sibanda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; speaking at a launch event for the study on May 27, 2025, in Harare: "Child marriage explicitly indicates unequal power dynamics in Zimbabwe. This perpetuates an inter-generational cycle of poverty, limiting women's and girls' access to education and leadership. Unfortunately, few manage to come out of these marriages.' Recommendations for legal and policy reform In light of the study's findings, WLSA and Equality Now urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take urgent and coordinated action to eliminate child marriage and better support survivors as follows: Reform laws on child marriage to fully align Zimbabwe's national law with the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage ( Introduce a dedicated child marriage law, incorporating provisions for healthcare, legal assistance, and survivor support. Strengthen property and inheritance rights for child marriage survivors. Amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act to require fathers to be registered on birth certificates of children born outside of wedlock or in unregistered customary unions. Update the Termination of Pregnancy Act (15.10) to allow the termination of a pregnancy in any case involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. Increase public awareness about the law on child marriage, and educate demographics at risk about their rights, how to report violations, and available support services. Implement sentencing guidelines to ensure consistent and appropriate penalties for child marriage and GBV. Reinstate and fund a comprehensive National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriages, drawing lessons from Malawi and Uganda. Adopt a National Gender Policy that recognises child marriage as a development issue within the upcoming National Development Strategy (NDS-2). Provide community actors with the resources and training needed to deliver localised support. Strengthen access to legal aid and ensure education policies allow and support girls to return to school after pregnancy. WLSA and Equality Now are committed to supporting legal reforms and multi-stakeholder interventions towards a world free from child marriage, with comprehensive support mechanisms at all levels to support survivors of child marriage. Sally Ncube, Equality Now's Regional Representative for Southern Africa, concludes: "Zimbabwe has made great strides in recent years to domesticate and implement the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children already in Marriage. There is a need to do more to ensure comprehensive legal protection and support measures for survivors of child marriage, to empower and support already married girls as they continue to be exposed to gender-based violence, poverty, trauma, and exclusion. 'Strengthening implementation, enforcement, and oversight mechanisms will ensure laws and policies provide child marriage survivors with access to justice, healthcare, education, safeguarding, and livelihood support." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now. For media enquiries, contact: Sphiwe Dlamini Regional Communications Officer Equality Now sdlamini@ T. +27 (0)711429179 (available on WhatsApp) Find us on: Bluesky: @ ( Instagram: @ equalitynoworg ( LinkedIn: Equality Now ( About Equality Now: Equality Now ( is an international human rights organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of all women and girls worldwide. Its work is organised around four main program areas: Achieving Legal Equality, Ending Sexual Violence, Ending Harmful Practices, and Ending Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique challenges facing adolescent girls. Equality Now combines grassroots activism with legal advocacy at the international, regional, and national levels to achieve systemic change, and collaborates with local partners to ensure governments enact and enforce laws and policies that uphold women's and girls' rights. For more information about Equality Now, visit About Women and Law in Southern African Research and Education Trust (WLSA): Women and Law in Southern African Research and Education Trust (WLSA) ( Zimbabwe started as a local Chapter of a sub-regional network in 1989. WLSA is now registered and operates as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) in Zimbabwe. The network member countries include Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia. The purpose of the network is to contribute to the sustained well-being of women and girl children through action-oriented research in the socio-legal field and advocating for women's rights. WLSA work incorporates action into research by questioning and challenging the law, instigating campaigns for changes in laws, policies and plans of action, educating women and girls about their rights, providing legal advice and gender sensitising communities and leadership.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Must Push for Reforms to Protect Women and Girls, urges Equality Now
Equality Now ( 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 human rights organisation called on the Commission to use its mandate to underscore the importance to governments about the need to provide reparations for survivors of sexual violence, criminalise femicide, boost efforts to end child marriage, and strengthen laws to stop digital violence. Equality Now wants the Commission to remind States of their obligations under the Maputo Protocol on Women's Rights ( Of the 55 member States, 45 have ratified or signed the protocol. Deborah Nyokabi, a legal equality and gender policy expert at Equality Now, explains, 'Women and girls across Africa are enduring violence in all its forms - including rape, child marriage, femicide, trafficking, and digital abuse - while legal systems too often fail to protect or deliver justice. These are not isolated issues but symptoms of a broader failure to uphold the rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol.' 'African governments must prioritise legal reform, provide reparations to survivors, and close the protection gaps that leave so many women and girls vulnerable and without access to assistance when their rights have been violated, especially in conflict zones where the breakdown of services intensifies harm.' Sexual violence reparations According to figures ( released by UNICEF last year, more than 79 million girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa have been subjected to rape or sexual assault as children. The region has the highest number of child sexual violence victims in the world. Yet research by Equality Now found that survivors of sexual violence are being denied justice. In its report, 'Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, Law, Practice and Access to Justice' ( the NGO exposed key gaps in rape laws in 45 African countries, which included allowing rape in marriage, perpetrators to walk free from court if they agree to marry their victims, and judges to define evidence based on the complainant's behaviour. In its statement, Equality Now called on the Commission to urge member States to urgently integrate the Niamey Guidelines ( on combatting sexual violence, adopted by the Commission in 2017, emphasising governments' obligation to provide reparations to survivors. Criminalising femicide The NGO called on the Commission to implore governments to criminalise femicide - the most extreme and brutal manifestation of violence against women. Equality Now's report 'Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa: An Overview of Key Trends in Select Countries' ( revealed that the most devastating facet of inequality within the family is sexual and gender-based violence, including domestic violence, marital rape, economic violence and femicide, which is the intentional murder of a woman or girl because of their gender. In 2023, an average of 140 women and girls were killed ( by a partner or family member every day. Current and former intimate partners were the most likely perpetrators. Yet not enough is being done to end the crisis or hold offenders to account. In South Africa, a national femicide study ( found that three women a day were killed by an intimate partner in 2020/21, but in 44% of cases, police had failed to identify a perpetrator. In Kenya, 170 cases of femicide ( were reported in 2024. A petition ( calling on the government to make femicide a distinct crime has received more than 78,000 signatures. In Cameroon last month, Bekobe Eric, accused of murdering his wife Diane Yangwo, received ( a five-year suspended sentence and a fine of 52,000 CFA (approximately $90). The sentence was immediately denounced by women's rights advocates. Earlier this year, the African Union took a significant step to address the crisis by adopting the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls ( which included an explicit definition of femicide. Equality Now wants the Commission to seize the momentum to encourage governments to recognise and criminalise femicide as a distinct crime, and outlaw marital rape and domestic violence. Safeguarding rights in Sudan and the DRC Equality Now urges the Commission to encourage Sudan to ratify the Maputo Protocol to provide essential legal protections for women and girls. Sudan is now in its third year of conflict, facing widespread destruction, significant civilian casualties and an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of Sudan's war ( with sexual violence being weaponised by both sides. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure, however, means there are inadequate medical and reproductive health services to support survivors of violence, which has led to more unintended pregnancies, miscarriages and maternal deaths. Increasing rates of maternal mortality are also being recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where decades of conflict have severely damaged healthcare services. The Commission should encourage both countries to integrate sexual and reproductive health rights into their humanitarian response. End child marriage In its statement to the Commission, Equality Now expressed deep concern at the continued high rates of child marriage across the continent. Fourteen of the 20 countries with the highest prevalence rates are in Africa. Child marriage is a serious human rights violation ( Girls are often forced to drop out of school, restricting their life chances, and are likely to give birth at a young age, which poses severe health risks. One of the reasons child marriage is continuing unchecked is because of weak legal protections, which must be addressed, said Equality Now. All AU member States should raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, without exceptions, and implement measures and programmes to end child marriage in line with recommendations ( made in 2017 by the Commission and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. End sexual exploitation The Commission was also asked to encourage member States to address the surge in trafficking of women and girls across the continent. UNODC's 2024 global report on trafficking ( found that a third of all cross-border trafficking flows involved Africans. In sub-Saharan Africa, 98% of victims were trafficked within the region, 21% for sexual exploitation. About 42% of trafficked victims in sub-Saharan Africa were girls. Member States have enacted anti-trafficking laws and policies, but they are not being adequately enforced. Meanwhile, the systemic factors that make women and girls vulnerable to sexual exploitation have not been meaningfully addressed. Digital spaces are also becoming more dangerous for women and girls. Online abuse, including sexual harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, is rising in tandem with increased internet penetration. Technology is increasingly being weaponised to attack women and girls, including women politicians, journalists and human rights defenders. Digital violence is being exacerbated by weak legal protections, underreporting and the limited capacity for law enforcement to investigate tech-related crimes. Governments need to enforce and tighten existing laws on online sexual exploitation and invest in digital safety initiatives, in line with the recently adopted UN Global Digital Compact ( said Equality Now. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now. Notes to editors: For media enquiries, contact: Tara Carey Global Head of Media Equality Now Tcarey@ T. +44 (0)7971556340 (available on WhatsApp and Signal) About Equality Now: Equality Now ( is an international human rights organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of all women and girls worldwide. Its work is organised around four main program areas: Achieving Legal Equality, Ending Sexual Violence, Ending Harmful Practices, and Ending Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique challenges facing adolescent girls. Equality Now combines grassroots activism with legal advocacy at the international, regional, and national levels to achieve systemic change, and collaborates with local partners to ensure governments enact and enforce laws and policies that uphold women's and girls' rights. For more information about Equality Now, visit and find us on Bluesky @ ( on Instagram @ equalitynoworg ( Linkedin at Equality Now (
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Amidst Global Rollback of Women's Rights, Elevate Prize Foundation Pledges $1M to Equality Now Over the Next Decade
'This isn't just about funding. It's a call to action - especially to men. Men need to step up and stand beside the women who have carried this fight for too long.'— Joe Deitch, Founder and Chairman of the Elevate Prize Foundation MIAMI, FL, UNITED STATES, May 14, 2025 / / -- Equality Now, along with their Global Executive Director, S. Mona Sinha, has been awarded the 2025 Elevate Prize Founder's Award in recognition of the organization's transformative role in the reform of 120 sex-discriminatory laws—from child marriage and rape to digital safety, inheritance, and citizenship—that deny women and girls their rights and full potential around the world. The Elevate Prize Founder's Award celebrates innovation and purpose, recognizing game-changing social entrepreneurs or endeavors. The award comes with an unrestricted grant designed to drive greater impact and meaningful change. In recognition of the vital work Equality Now is championing in creating a just and equal landscape that allows women and girls to reach their full potential, the organization will receive $1 million over the course of 10 years, marking a decade-long commitment to supporting Equality Now's work. Gains in gender equality are increasingly under threat from rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic space, and deep cuts to funding for women's rights. In response, the global human rights movement is calling for renewed, sustained investment in the rights and futures of women and girls. According to the United Nations, it will currently take nearly 300 years to achieve full gender equality, despite a global pledge to do so by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals. 'This isn't just about funding. It's a call to action - especially to men,' said Joe Deitch, the Founder and Chairman of the Elevate Prize Foundation. 'We are so much more, so much better, when we have access to each other's perceptions and talents and strengths. Men need to step up, speak out, and stand beside the women who have carried this fight for too long.' For over 30 years, Equality Now has driven global legal reform for women and girls through expert advocacy, strategic litigation, partnerships, and grassroots collaboration. As a recognized international human rights expert, convener, and reformer, the organization shapes better laws, unites powerful movements, and holds power to account—delivering systemic change and advancing equality worldwide. 'Receiving the Elevate Prize Founder's Award is a powerful affirmation of our mission,' said Mona Sinha. 'Legal equality is not just a technical goal—it's a promise to women and girls everywhere. It means a girl can walk safely to school, a woman can own her own home, raise her voice, earn a living, and shape the society she lives in. This award shines a light on the transformative power of law to unlock their full potential.' Recent research confirmed that gender equality indirectly benefits whole populations. Allowing women to achieve their full economic potential could add trillions of dollars to the global economy. The unrestricted grant Equality Now is receiving from the Elevate Prize Foundation will enable the organization to expand its global strategy, which targets the root causes of legal inequality through five interconnected pillars. These include engaging governments and international bodies to adopt or reform 75 laws and standards that strengthen multilateralism and human rights protections as well as improving legal access for women and girls worldwide; strengthening women-led movements in over 60 countries to sustain reform and resist democratic backsliding; and ending gender-based violence by advocating for survivor-centered legal systems in 10 nations. Additionally, it will champion women's rights-informed digital rights to safeguard privacy and combat tech-facilitated violence, while its economic justice agenda seeks to reform laws that restrict land ownership, inheritance, and divorce. 'Legal equality is a first step—but not the last,' said Sinha. 'The law must be a catalyst for cultural transformation. And that requires allies. It is especially powerful to see a leader like Joe [Deitch] stand in solidarity with women and girls. Joe's leadership reflects a growing global movement of men standing as true allies in the pursuit of gender equality—a vital step toward transforming the harmful social norms that hold back entire communities.' ******************************************************************* About Equality Now: Founded in 1992, Equality Now is an international human rights organization that works to protect and promote the rights of all women and girls around the world. Our campaigns are centered on four program areas: Legal Equality, End Sexual Violence, End Harmful Practices, and End Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique needs of adolescent girls. Equality Now combines a unique blend of legal expertise, advocacy and partnership to achieve legal and systemic change to benefit all women and girls and works to ensure that governments enact and enforce laws and policies that uphold their rights. About the Elevate Prize Foundation: Founded in 2019 by businessman and philanthropist Joseph Deitch, the Elevate Prize Foundation is a global nonprofit on a mission to Make Good Famous. To ensure lasting impact, the organization is committed to bringing visibility to the work of changemakers and inspiring audiences on an international scale. The foundation's signature program is its annual Elevate Prize, which is awarded to 10 global leaders tackling pressing issues in innovative ways. The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, another one of the foundation's programs, recognizes prominent individuals for their commitment to inspiring global social action and using their influence for the good of humanity. The foundation also operates the Elevate Prize GET LOUD Award, a monthly grant to fuel grassroots movements and organizers on the frontlines committed to collective action and building power among communities. The foundation's latest endeavor, Elevate Studios, was launched in 2025 to finance and distribute purpose-driven content. For more information, visit and follow @ElevatePrize on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Tara Carey Equality Now +44 7971 556340 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
