Equality Now envisions a future where safety and the accountability of perpetrators are non-negotiable, consent is included in the legal definition of rape, and justice is accessible for all – all of which we believe will contribute to women and girls living free from fear of sexual violence. We know from experience that change is possible. Since our founding 30 years ago, we have been elevating survivors’ voices, advocating for stronger legal protections, and transforming justice systems that currently enable sexual perpetrators to escape justice.
In 2024 alone, Equality Now played an integral role in:
- The passage of a comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) bill in Busia, Kenya that will offer greater protection to the estimated 177,612 women and girls who will face SGBV in their lifetime.
- The adoption of a law that will offer greater protection to the estimated 897,000 women and girls in Kyrgyzstan who are subjected to violence in the country every year – including additional protections for women and girls with disabilities, who face elevated rates of sexual and physical violence.
- The passage of a law in Colombia setting the minimum age of marriage to 18 without exception. When enacted, this new law will protect the 1.4 million girls and adolescents currently at risk of child marriage and statutory rape in the country.
This is just a small glimpse of what we were able to achieve together last year. Thank you for helping to make this life-changing – and often life-saving – work possible.
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