For many girls the critical adolescent years are shaped by harmful experiences that are oftentimes irreversible and irreparable. As women they are often further subjected to violence, poverty and severe health problems as a result. AGLDF supports and publicizes strategically selected legal cases, diversified to represent the most common and compelling human rights abuses of adolescent girls. Current cases involve sex tourism, child marriage, incest, female genital mutilation and rape.
Activities
AGLDF supports cases that have the potential to have precedent-setting impact on a variety of issues, each identified as a core problem in its particular country. We work for:
Increased legal protections for girls through impact litigation and law reform;
Enhanced capacity of communities to address adolescent girls' human rights; and
Greater visibility and public policy impact of cases, nationally, regionally and internationally.
Expected Outcomes
Equality Now believes that with the Adolescent Girls' Legal Defense Fund we will foster an environment where laws that protect and promote the rights of women and girls are implemented and respected. Tangent to this is media exposure of these violations to educate the public and inform them of the harm and consequences, both legal and emotional, for the victims and their communities. Through better laws and their implementation coupled with public awareness we can bring about systemic change.
Project Message
Thank you for caring. Sometimes it seems like everything goes wrong and the world is upside down.Those are the times when you need a friend.I want to tell you how grateful I am that you are helping me
- Adolescent girl, Plaintiff in Zambia rape case
Project Contact
Catherine Brandli,
Director of Development
PO Box 20646 Columbus Circle Station New York, NY 10023
United States
12125860906
PO Box 20646 Columbus Circle Station New YorkNY10023 United States
12125860906 Organization's Homepage
Organization's Mission
Equality Now is an international human rights advocacy organization, with offices in New York, Nairobi and London, committed to ending violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world. It was among the first international organizations to develop advocacy campaigns to protect the fundamental rights of women and girls.
Organization's Programs
Equality Now has four program areas: Discrimination in Law, Sexual Violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Trafficking each supported by campaigns and the members of our Women’s Action Network.
Organization's Current Projects on GlobalGiving
Defend the Human Rights of Adolescent Girls
Organization Statistics
Financial Statistics
Taina Bien-Aimé,
Executive Director
Founded in 1992
Employees: 22
Volunteers: 3
Other funding sources: Corporations, foundations, individuals, special events and investment income. Religious Affiliation: none
Personnel Overview
Yasmeen Hassan - Global Director
Ms. Hassan holds a J. D. from Harvard Law School and is the author of the first study of domestic violence in Pakistan, which became Pakistan's submission to the Beijing conference 1995. She clerked on the D.C. Court of Appeals from 1994-1995. She practiced international corporate law at Davis Polk & Wardwell from 1995-2003. From 2003-2008, she was at the UN Division for the Advancement of Women.
Faiza Jama Mohamed - Nairobi Office Director
Faiza Jama Mohamed holds a Masters in Business Administration from California State University (Fresno) and a Bachelor's Degree from Ahfad University-College for Women in The Sudan in organizational management. She has twenty years of experience working for international organizations, in particular for African women's rights, and has been an active member of the women's movement in Somalia
