Global Overview

Nationality laws which do not grant women equality with men in conferring nationality on their children are a cause of statelessness. Sixty years ago, the nationality laws of most States did not provide equal rights to women in nationality matters. This has radically changed for the better since the adoption in 1979 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

UNHCR’s survey of nationality legislation reveals that equality between men and women relating to conferral of nationality on children has not yet been attained in 24 countries, and these countries are located in almost all parts of the world. Many of these States are found in the Middle East and North Africa (twelve countries). Five States in Asia and the Pacific and five States in Sub-Saharan Africa do not grant mothers equal rights as fathers to confer their nationality on their children, and the same is the case in two States in the Americas.

These States are listed in the table below using a color scheme to divide the laws of the 24 States into three categories:

Pledges and contributions are commitments by States, organizations, academics and other stakeholders that advance the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees. These include significant pledges  on addressing statelessness, as a cause and consequence of forced displacement, often through policy, legislative, or operational actions. At the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF), states and other stakeholders made more than 150 pledges related to statelessness. 49 states accounted for 86 pledges, highlighting the global momentum toward resolving and preventing statelessness through policy reforms, legislative measures, and operational initiatives.

This map highlights the states that submitted 2023 GRF pledges related to statelessness, showcasing the global scale of the commitments made to address it. The visualization underscores the international community’s shared responsibility to address and prevent statelessness, creating lasting solutions for stateless individuals and protecting their rights.