CSTS LONDON

WORLDWIDE CHARITY SCREENINGS TO SUPPORT EQUALITY NOW
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Why Equality Now?

Equality Now was founded in 1992 to work for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world. Working with national human rights organisations and individual activists, Equality Now documents violence and discrimination against women and mobilises international action to support their efforts to stop these human rights abuses. Issues of urgent concern to Equality Now include rape, domestic violence, reproductive rights, trafficking of women, female genital mutilation, and the denial of equal access to economic opportunity and political participation..

Goals: 

  • to campaign for the reform of laws and practices that discriminate against women
  • to contribute towards the global campaign to end violence against women
  • to promote the equal partnership of women in decision-making

Justice and Equality

The fight for civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights, all relate to the underlying struggle for justice and equality. Equality Now’s work in this area addresses the organisation’s goal of reforming discriminatory laws and practices, and bringing justice and equality to women and girls. Equality Now leads and participates in a range of activities and campaigns that aim to hold governments accountable to the pledges they have made to protect the fundamental rights of women and girls around the world.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

It is estimated that more than 130 million girls and women around the world have undergone genital mutilation. At least 2 million girls are at risk every year. The cutting, which is generally done without anesthetic, may have lifelong health consequences including chronic infection, severe pain during urination, menstruation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth, and psychological trauma. Some girls die from the cutting, usually as a result of bleeding or infection. Equality Now's FGM fund provides financial support to grassroots organisations opposing these practices.

Trafficking and sex tourism

Equality Now has campaigned against sex tourism and trafficking, putting pressure on governments and helping to shut down companies that support or profit from these practices. In one prominent case, Equality Now successfully campaigned to have the New York sex tourism travel agency Big Apple Oriental Tours prosecuted for promotion of prostitution. While a restraining order was obtained preventing the company from advertising, the criminal case against the agency's owners was ultimately unsuccessful.

International Peace and Security

Equality Now advocates the important role of women in conflict resolution and prevention, believing that women’s full participation in peace processes can significantly contribute to sustainable international peace and security. The organisation's work in the International Peace and Security Program addresses its goal of promoting equal partnership of women in decision-making. The campaign work in this area also addresses the impact of war on women, as women and children account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict.

 
CSTS - The Inspiration 

Joss Whedon, responsible for such television hits as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel, has been outspoken in his support of Equality Now and gender equality initiatives.

"There are two ways to fight a battle like ours. One is to whisper in the ear of the masses, try subtlely and gradually to change the gender expectations and mythic structures of our culture. That's me. The other is to step up and confront the thousands of atrocities that are taking place around the world on an immediate, one-by-one basis. That's a great deal harder, and that's Equality Now. It's not about politics; it's about basic human decency."
- Joss Whedon

In picking Equality Now as the organisation receiving the proceeds of the global screenings, CSTS organisers voice their support of the work done around the world by EN.

"All of us at Equality Now continue to be amazed by and grateful for the Browncoats' and Serenity fans' generous and committed support for our work. Their energy and enthusiasm is inspiring and these screenings are coming at a critical time when we are especially in need of funds! We thank each and every one of them."
- Amanda Sullivan, Equality Now