Equality Now is calling on countries globally to urgently amend nationality laws that discriminate on the basis of sex.
According to a press report, a quarter of countries still have nationality laws that discriminate against women.
Everyone has the right to be born with a nationality and to be secure in their human right to equally acquire, change, retain or transfer it, as provided for under international law. And all women, no matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or motherhood status, should be able to transfer nationality to their children and spouses equally.
Antonia Kirkland, Equality Now’s Global Lead on Legal Equality, says, “Governments have affirmed the fundamental right to sex equality in international treaties, declarations, and domestic constitutions. Denying women equal nationality rights for men is a clear form of discrimination based upon sex, and is a human rights violation that contravenes international law.”
“All women and men should be equally able to pass citizenship on to their children wherever born and to their spouse whether they married at home or abroad. This is irrespective of whether the parental relationship is heterosexual or same-sex, and a child is born in or out of marriage, or is or is not adopted.”
“Equality Now is calling for all governments with sex discriminatory legal provisions on nationality to review, amend and harmonize their legislation by 2030 to ensure consistency between relevant laws and regulations, with all women and men treated equally and fairly.”
