Sisters For Change launches campaign to criminalise marital rape across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change is campaigning for the criminalisation of marital rape as a…
Read more
Securing women’s property rights in Kenya
Kenya has a long way to go to make the right to land…
Gender employment gap costs EU 360 billion euros a year – agency
As part of its new gender equality strategy, European Commission is expected to…
Comparative Legal Review of Harassment and Sexual Exploitation Laws
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
Child rights in the Pacific: UN body concludes historic session in Samoa
In an historic extraordinary outreach session, the UN Committee on the Rights of…
Briefing Paper – Harmonising custormary law and women’s rights: Decisions of South Africa’s Constitutional Court
This briefing paper commissioned by Sisters For Change and authored by Prof. Thandabantu…
Spanish government backs tougher action against sex crimes in draft law
The law would toughen punishments for sexual offences, inlcuding qualifying all non-consensual sex…
Battle Lines Are Drawn on Women’s Rights Before #CSW64 Even Begins
This year’s preparations for the UN Commission on the Status of Women meeting,…
Argentina abortion: President Alberto Fernández proposes legalisation
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández has said he will send a bill to legalise…
Women’s rights: MEPs call for action to fight backlash against gender equality
Ahead of the 64th UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW64) in…
Rights group calls for action on marital rape issue
Equality Bahamas is calling on Attorney General Carl Bethel to prioritize Bahamian women…
Misogynistic harassment: advancing Scots criminal law’
Dr Kim Barker, lecturer in law at Stirling Law School, and Dr Olga Jurasz, senior lecturer in…
UN Women, Malawi Govt Strategise for Status of Women Meet in New York
Women empowerment and gender experts have converged in Lilongwe to prepare for this…
Women with disabilities urge for equal rights in all sectors
Islamabad: Women with Disabilities Monday urged the authorities concerned to play an active…
Asia-Pacific countries adopt declaration to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment
Bangkok, Thailand — Ministers and high-level officials from 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific…
Comparative Legal Review of the Impact of Gender Stereotyping on Judicial Decisions in Violence Against Women Cases Across the Pacific Island Region
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
Davos 2020: Economic gender gap not due to close until … 2277
It will take 257 years for the economic gender gap to close at…
Davos: Women need laws to protect them from workplace discrimination
‘You need laws and structures that lead the way to gender equality’ -…
South Africa: Key judgment favours women married under sexist apartheid law
The Durban High Court has handed down judgment in favour of women who…
Opinion: How can the international community guarantee women’s rights during migration’
In the courtyard of a soup kitchen on the outskirts of Cúcuta, Colombia,…
Domestic violence victims could benefit from ‘Sanctuary Scheme’ model
An initiative designed to make victims of domestic violence feel safer in their…
Maryland lawmakers look to repeal state’s ‘archaic’ sex laws
Maryland lawmakers hope to repeal “archaic” provisions in the state’s spousal defense for…
Sierra Leone declared a state of emergency over sexual violence
Did it help’ Written by Laura S. Martin & Simeon Koroma, African Arguments…
Bangladesh court orders government to tackle rise in rapes
No official figures are yet available for 2019, but one human rights organisation…
In lead up to Generation Equality Forum, Action Coalition themes announced
Today, UN Women, together with feminists across the world, and the Governments of…
DPM discloses five-year plan to end child marriages in Malaysia
Putrajaya is working on a five-year plan that it hopes will end the…
Women Activists Escalate Demand for “Bodily Autonomy” as 19 Nations Dissent
The member states who deny women access to safe and legal abortion represent…
From slurs to sexual violence, women human rights defenders come under global attack
“Women human rights defenders are attacked because of who they are and what…
Malawi police face legal action over failure to investigate alleged rapes
Lawyers move to make headway with inquiry into accusations of police abuses during…
Council of counsels to discuss issues of Sabarimala, Muslim, Parsi women on Jan 17: CJI
The CJI suggested the meeting between opposing sides to dine-tune the issues already…
Women continue to be under-represented in top jobs across sport, law and politics, study suggests
‘We are wasting women’s talent and skills’, charity says. Written by Sarah Young,…
Mufti backs review of family law to enhance women’s rights
Wan Salim told FMT man-made laws were not perfect as humans are imperfect.…
Violence against women in Italy: GREVIO calls for more preventive measures
A new report from GREVIO, the Council of Europe’s expert group on violence…
High court to decide if children can consent to gender reassignment
Puberty blockers for under-18s should not be legal, say those bringing proceeding. Written…
Slow progress in gender equality in the European Union since 2005
The European Union (EU) has been moving towards gender equality at a snail’s…
Comparative Legal Review of Anti-Discrimination & Equality Legislation across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
The Criminalisation of Marital Rape and Intimate Partner Sexual Violence across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
Comparative Legal Review of Gender Recognition Laws across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
Comparative Legal Review of the Impact of Muslim Family Laws on Women across Commonwealth Asia and Africa
Sisters For Change has launched a series of reports on behalf of the…
Rape ‘decriminalised’ as only 1.4% of reported attacks prosecuted in England and Wales
Official figures show 42,000 fewer offences charged for every type of crime. Written…
Scottish Government Bill aims to ease pain of gender recognition
The Scottish Government has published a draft Bill reforming the process for obtaining…
Ruled out of work: Refugee women’s legal right to work
Refugee women seeking jobs and economic opportunities must navigate a labor market mired…
Next government urged to make ‘systemic’ changes to tackle violence against women
‘BME and migrant survivors are frequently forced to choose between remaining in a…
Finland anoints Sanna Marin, 34, as world’s youngest serving prime minister
Former transport minister is country’s youngest leader ever and third female PM. Written…
Beijing +25 Review: Civil society and youth from the Arab States review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Over 70 representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth advocates from across…
UK falls six places in gender equality rankings
Country has fallen from 15th most equal nation in last audit in 2018…
Victory at ECOWAS Court for girls in Sierra Leone
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has found…
Comparative Legal Review of Gender Recognition Laws across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change is launching a series of reports on behalf of the…
The Criminalisation of Marital Rape and Intimate Partner Sexual Violence across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change is launching a series of reports on behalf of the…
Comparative Legal Review of Anti-Discrimination & Equality Legislation across the Commonwealth
Sisters For Change is launching a series of reports on behalf of the…
Across the Globe, a ‘Serious Backlash Against Women’s Rights’
The rise of authoritarianism has catalyzed a rollback of gender violence protections and…
Women’s Learning Partnership – Equality: It’s All in the Family
Women’s Learning Partnership’s newest documentary, illustrates the spectrum of family laws around the…
Beijing +25 Review: Asia-Pacific countries adopt declaration to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment
Ministers and high-level officials from 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific region have committed…
Bangladeshi Migrant Female Domestic Workers Face Violence
Millions of Bangladeshi women are facing violence either as domestic housemaids or as…
Beijing +25 Review: Participants in the Africa Beijing+25 review call for implementation of the commitments made 25 years ago
Member states gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27 October to 1 November…
Women in politics unite to establish Inter-Party Gender Action Group (IGAG) in Malawi
The Commonwealth has partnered-up with the Malawi Centre for Multi-Party Democracy (CMD-M) for…
Comparative Legal Review of the Impact of Muslim Family Laws on Women across Commonwealth Asia and Africa
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Sisters For Change is launching a series of reports on…
Women MPs push for implementation of laws, resolutions
The conference brings together women legislators and individuals from the civil society mostly…
1 in 4 young women in Latin America and the Caribbean is in union or married before age 18
The region will reach the second highest rates in the world in 2030…
Arab Charter on Women’s Rights launched in Abu Dhabi
It’s a well-deserved tribute to Arab women, says Shaikha Fatima. Written by Samir…
Tanzanian court rules against government on early marriage
Tanzania government had appealed a ruling raising minimum age for marriage from 15…
SC/ST Act: Supreme Court recalls directions of March 2018 verdict
A bench of justices Arun Mishra, M R Shah and B R Gavai…
Ministers present actions on gender equality for consideration by Commonwealth leaders
On 19-20 September 2019, the 12th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in Nairobi…
Laws to protect domestic abuse victims ‘nowhere near perfect’, campaigners say
The Domestic Abuse Bill was debated in Parliament on Wednesday. Written by Flora…
Northern Ireland abortion law found to breach human rights
Northern Ireland’s abortion law breaches the UK’s human rights commitments, the High Court…
Widespread criticism of Indonesia’s new draft criminal code
Indonesia is poised to pass a new penal code that criminalises consensual sex…
Why raising the minimum age for marriage is not enough for Indonesia to put an end to child brides
Studies show that social initiatives such as access to a formal education and…
Judge zeroes in on marital rape prosecutions
As day three of the 2019 Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference (CMJC) got…
Iraqi women urge Parliament to approve domestic abuse bill
President Barham Salih has sent a long-stalled bill for the protection of women…
Women’s rights group sues CPS over failure to pursue rape cases
New approach has led to collapse in number of defendants charged, say activists.…
Domestic violence killings in UK surge to five-year high
The number of domestic violence killings has hit a five-year high, new figures…
‘Enshrine equal rights for women in law’ senior judges tell leaders
Commonwealth senior judges and officials meet in Nairobi to discuss the need to…
Commonwealth ministers look to revitalise progress on gender equality
Women’s affairs officials meet in Nairobi to devise fresh strategy on ending inequality.…
Iceland hosts first major international #MeToo conference
Three-day gathering will explore why movement gained traction and effect it has had.…
Boris Johnson confirms plan to reintroduce domestic abuse bill next month
Ministers will reintroduce a bill aimed at tackling the “horrific crime” of domestic…
Operation Yellowhammer: briefing from the Women’s Budget Group
The Operation Yellowhammer Report on worst case planning assumptions for Brexit confirms the…
Rape prosecutions in England and Wales at lowest level in a decade
Prosecutions are down by 32% in a year and convictions have fallen by…
Fiji government plan to help women leave abusive relationships hailed
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement has welcomed the government’s economic empowerment plan for…
Defending the defenders: ombudsmen need support
At a time when Europe’s basic values are being challenged in many different…
Germany upskirting: Justice minister to ban ‘disgusting’ practice
Loopholes in Germany’s penal code allow upskirting — the act of secretly taking…
Thousands attend opposing abortion rallies in Belfast
Opposing groups hold rallies in Belfast setting out their different views over planned…
CPC Women’s branch to discuss the rights of female law makers
On the sidelines of the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) that is due…
Lobby fights to secure land rights for women in Kenya
A lobby group wants women included in title deeds of land owned by…
High court in eSwatini rules in favor of married women’s rights
eSwatini High Court has ruled that the existing common-law doctrine, which denies women…
Thousands protest in South Africa over rising violence against women
President promises to do more after the most deadly month for violent crimes…
Tradition denies Albanian women right to property
The poor implementation of property registration law and the patriarchal tradition that favours…
Fundamental shift needed for enforcing the Equality Act
The Women and Equalities Committee publishes report on Enforcing the Equality Act: the…
France considers extending medically assisted procreation to lesbian couples, single women
The French ministers for health, justice and research are to present on Wednesday…
Tamil Nadu bans sex reassignment surgeries on intersex infants, children
Government Order follows a High Court directive against imposing parents’ will on children.…
Women’s rights group says defamation law being used as ‘silencing tool’
The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) on Monday called for the decriminalising of defamation…
Non-registration of births, deaths make women devoid of civil rights: Report
Almost twice as many male deaths were registered compared to female deaths across…
High Court rejects Sisters In Islam’s challenge against ‘deviant’ fatwa and directs group to Shariah courts
The High Court in Malaysia has announced it does not have jurisdiction to…
Bangladesh to remove the word ‘virgin’ from Muslim marriage certificates
Verdict from country’s top court will see ‘virgin’ replaced with ‘unmarried’ in landmark…
Myanmar military committed ‘routine, systematic’ sexual violence against ethnic minorities, UN experts find
Myanmar’s military must stop using sexual and gender-based violence to terrorize and punish…
Rape victims among those to be asked to hand phones to police
Victims of crimes, including those alleging rape, are to be asked to hand…
Kenya’s national census will count intersex individuals for the first time
Kenya will become the first African country to collect data on its intersex…
Underage marriage in Indonesia may worsen
New research shows a fall in the age of menarche in Indonesia leading…
Saudi women now have right to travel with their children, following long campaigning
The new measure comes amid a raft of opaque reforms around women’s rights…
Council of Europe adopts recommendation on preventing and combating sexism
In March 2019, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted a recommendation…
Arrests, prison sentences fail to stem growing public opposition to Iran’s mandatory hijab law
At least 12 people sentenced to prison since January 2018. Written by the…
Bosses force female workers making jeans for Levis and Wrangler into sex
Women at factories in Lesotho owned by Taiwanese firm say jobs and promotions…
“Until her bones are broken”: Myanmar activists fight to outlaw domestic violence
Activists hope the first National Prevention and Protection of Violence Against Women law,…
No mercy for acid attack offenders, rules Chief Justice of Pakistan
Top court dismisses convict’s mercy plea despite victim’s ‘forgiveness’ and says acid attack…
Presidency kick-starts Women’s Month with gender equality campaign
New theme and campaign as minister in the presidency Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane kick…
Iranian women’s rights activists arrested after calling for end to ‘gender apartheid’ in open letter
‘In a world that women in most countries move side by side with…
In New Zealand, young Māori women lead the battle for indigenous rights
Maori, who account for about 15% of the population, were dispossessed of much…
Stark findings in major review of rape cases
Written by Greater London Authority The London Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman, has today…
After Nirbhaya more crimes against women reported but justice falters
Mumbai: Women are more likely to report abuse and sexual attacks after the…
Launch of Rights of Women new Sexual Harassment at Work legal advice line for women
Rights of Women will today launch the only specialist free legal advice line…
Mozambique, Cote d’Ivoire make legal strides for women and children’s rights
Marriage law reforms address inequality and discrimination Written by Susie Berya, Global Voices…
Saudi Arabia women’s rights reforms may still be thwarted by custom
Riyadh (Reuters) – Saudi officials have hailed as “historic” new rights granted to…
New law on triple talaq challenged in Supreme Court and Delhi High Court
Rajya Sabha passed the triple talaq bill with 99 to 84 votes. Written…
U.N. urges legal reform to protect women from rape at home
Nearly one in five women aged 15 to 49 globally experienced physical, sexual…
MPs block Marriage Bill from being debated in Parliament: Bill described as a “Marriage Destroyer”
Written by The Zimbabwe Mail In its current form the Marriages Bill is…
Northern Ireland Bill passed by Parliament: gay marriage and abortion bans lifted’
History will probably mark last week as a game-changing political moment in Northern…
Côte d’Ivoire Marriage Reform: a step towards women’s equality
Law could spur change throughout Africa. Written by Juliana Nnoko-Mewanu and Mashoka Maimona,…
Uganda jails hundreds of men for sex offences against women and girls
Campaigners applaud move to curb gender-based violence after courts hold special sessions to…
Unequal Regard, Unequal Protection 2
Over the last 12 months, Sisters For Change, in partnership with The Manchester…
EU leaders nominate first female commission chief
European leaders on Tuesday nominated German Defence Minister, Ursula von der Leyen for…
Nepal moves to end practice of chhaupadi
After the custom of consigning menstruating women to outdoor sheds claimed three more…
New UN report on families in a changing world puts “women’s rights at their core”
While women’s rights have advanced over the decades, gender inequalities and other fundamental…
Kenyan tribe divided over women’s land rights after landmark ruling
A High Court in Kenya has ruled that women are entitled to inherit…
Female BME domestic violence victims “being failed” in Manchester
Sisters For Change (SFC) and The Manchester Maya Project warn of institutional racism…
Unequal Regard, Unequal Protection 2: Spotlight on Manchester
In this report, Unequal Regard, Unequal Protection 2: Spotlight on Manchester, Sisters For Change (SFC),…
Spain women: Supreme Court rules Wolf Pack gang were rapists
Spain’s Supreme Court has ruled that an attack on a teenage woman that…
Move to end sexual harassment at work hailed as “milestone for women’s rights”
International Labour Organization adopts treaty designed to establish global standards on workplace violence…
Senior Islamic cleric issues fatwa against child marriage
Deputy grand imam of al-Azhar calls for marriage based on mutual consent with…
Botswana’s high court decriminalises homosexuality
Botswana’s high court has voted to decriminalise homosexuality in a landmark ruling. Written…
SFC response to Joint Committee Report on Draft Domestic Abuse Bill
In England and Wales, 32% of all violence reported to police in 2016/2017…
MPs and Lords urge government to protect migrant women in domestic abuse bill
Sisters For Change (SFC) and Step Up Migrant Women (SUMW) welcome the Joint…
Kenya’s rape survivors win right to abortion in landmark ruling
Kenya’s high court has ruled that rape survivors have the right to abortion…
Women take lead in Brazil’s indigenous fight
Escalation of violence against indigenous groups in Brazil pushes growing number of native…
Gender equality top 100: the most influential people in global policy 2019
Apolitical have announced their 2019 list of the top 100 most influential people…
No country will achieve gender equality by 2030
A new report has found that no country in the world is on…
In Sudan, a test not only for democracy but for women’s rights
Women have been at the forefront of the uprising in Sudan, but can…
Homosexuality remains illegal in Kenya as court rejects LGBT petition
Kenya’s High Court have ruled to uphold laws criminalising same-sex activity in a…
Poverty in the UK is “systematic” and “tragic”
UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, has…
Backlash Against Women’s Rights in Europe and Central Asia
The Global Fund for Women directed a missive from their Europe and Central…
Tory Peer claims landmark treaty could be used to bring terrorists to UK
Lord Farmer, during an evidence session to the Joint Committee, argued that the…
Agenda 2030 — Women’s Major Group announce political declaration
Abigail Ruane, of the Women’s Major Group (WMG) delivered a statement on behalf…
Taiwan becomes first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage
Taiwan has become the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Written…
AU awards Namibia for women empowerment and gender equality efforts
Namibia has been awarded the best African country regarding progress made in mainstreaming…
Domestic Abuse bill risks failing migrant women
“The Bill barely tinkers at the edges of what is necessary to ensure…
Indonesia sexual violence bill sparks conservative opposition
The Indonesian Government’s effort to target sexual violence, through the publication of a…
India’s female college students are fighting for their right to stay out after dark
University students in Bhopal held a demonstration to protest against the restrictive and…
Urgent call for safe place in Saint Lucia for victims of domestic violence
Organisations in Saint Lucia call for safe spaces for victims of domestic violence…
When escaping an abusive employer is a crime: the trap Britain sets for Filipino domestic workers
Enticed to the UK with promises that never materialise, many women face exploitative…
Mother and two boys suffocate in Nepal’s latest ‘period hut’ tragedy
Practice of banishing women to small outbuildings during periods claims further victims despite…
Building new networks to challenge discrimination and drive legal change
“We did not bring criminal law into alignment with the [equality provisions of…
Rape charges down by 23% in year despite rise in police reports
“It is vital that when women and girls come forward to report a…
Sisters For Change builds the legal capacity of informal grassroots justice systems in Bihar
“We will not keep quiet. Women should get justice.” SFC Community Paralegal, Bihar,…
A Sisters For Change Paralegal from Bangalore realises her own potential
“If people are punished, then physical and sexual harassment of women workers might…
A Sisters For Change Paralegal gives a girl back her future in rural Bantul
“What is most important is that we no longer consider violence against women…
A Sisters For Change Paralegal supports a young Dalit girl to access justice in India
“A Community Paralegal is a bridge…a problem solver for women…someone who is committed…
Better Laws, Better Lives
Africa: In December 2018, the Equality & Justice Alliance, a consortium of which…
Equality for all: Can women’s rights and LGBT rights organisations work together’
South Africa: In December 2018, the Equality & Justice Alliance, a consortium of…
Unsafe to work in the Home
The report highlights the shocking findings of the biggest in-depth survey ever conducted…
Eliminating violence against women at work
This report evidences the high levels of sexual harassment, violence and abuse suffered…
A Call for Justice. A time for Change
This report was produced by Sisters For Change (SFC), the National Dalit Movement…
Unequal Regard, Unequal Protection
Sisters For Change launched its 2017 report, Unequal Regard, Unequal Protection: Public authority…
Combating impunity. Ending silence
This report provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of village-level implementation of Indonesian…
Breaking down barriers to Justice
This report evidences the high levels of discrimination and violence suffered by Dalit…
STAY INFORMED
Keep up to date with Sisters For Change activities by subscribing to our newsletter below, and following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
