16 April 2025
Upcoming Side Event at the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum
We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming side event of the 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum: “Mobilizing for Gender-Equal Nationality Laws: For Inclusive, Sustainable Development & Youth Empowerment”. This event is organized by the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, UNICEF, UN Refugee Agency, UN Women, and Women’s Refugee Commission.
Event Details:
- Date: 16 April 2025
- Time: 1:15-2:45 PM New York Time/EST
- In-person & online
In 2025, 24 countries still deny women the right to pass their nationality to their children on an equal basis with men. More than 40 countries have at least one gender-discriminatory nationality law provision. Gender discrimination in nationality laws inhibits sustainable development, is a leading cause of statelessness, and results in wide-ranging rights violations. These include obstacles for youth’s access to education, healthcare, employment, property rights, and inheritance, hindering their full participation in society. Gender discrimination in nationality laws also contributes to gender-based violence, including child marriage.
Today, youth worldwide are joining forces with various actors to advocate for gender-equal nationality rights, united by the shared mission of achieving equal nationality rights for all. At this ECOSOC Youth Forum event, speakers will discuss the importance of ending this solvable problem and why youth engagement is essential in driving change.
Opening Remarks: Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director, UN Women (TBC)
Panelists:
- Neha Gurung:Formerly Stateless Youth Activist and Co-Founder of Citizenship Affected Peoples Network
- Rabih Samra:Impacted Youth Activist, GCENR Youth Network and ‘My Nationality Is a Right For Me and My Family’ Youth Network Lebanon
- Sheema Sen Gupta:Director of Child Protection and Migration, UNICEF
- Sivanka Dhanapala:Director, UNHCR Office in New York
Panel Moderator: Catherine Harrington, Campaign Manager, Global Campaign for EqualNationality Rights (GCENR)
Registration:
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