Equality Now, one of the world’s leading organizations working to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls worldwide, will mark its 20th Anniversary on April 19 with a benefit at the Asia Society in New York City.
The evening will honor Equality Now’s accomplishments over the last two decades and will also celebrate the future of the organization. Hosted by Sarah Jones, the event will feature celebrity readings written by writer, director and producer Joss Whedon and Sarah Jones and a musical performance by Natalie Merchant. Expected performers include Meryl Streep, Laura Linney, Rosie Perez, Eliza Dushku and others.
Information about the event can be found at www.equalitynow.org/event/20thanniversary.
Equality Now envisions a world in which women and men have equal rights under the law and full enjoyment of their human rights. However, the reality today is that millions face discrimination and violence, even death, simply for being born female. Recently, Equality Now has issued Actions & Urgent Alerts calling on Backpage.com to end its global facilitation of sex trafficking; on Morocco to repeal their law allowing rapists to escape punishment by marrying their victims; on Egypt to ensure women’s rights post revolution; and on the United States to pass the Girls Protection Act to name a few.
The organization believes that every woman and girl should be valued and her fundamental human rights recognized and protected. They strive for a time when rape, sex discriminatory laws, domestic violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), sex trafficking, child marriage and other human rights abuses against women and girls no longer exist.
“Equality Now has worked tirelessly these past 20 years to ensure that women’s and girls’ rights are part of the human rights agenda and to raise global awareness and promote activism on our issues,” says Global Director Yasmeen Hassan. “Gender equality benefits everyone and we look forward to celebrating the impact Equality Now has made since 1992. However we also want to take this time to acknowledge the extensive amount of work still left to do to create a better and safer world for women and girls.”
The event will also feature a silent auction via charitybuzz with exclusive luxury items and experiences such as tickets to The Avengers NYC premiere; dinner with writer, director and producer Joss Whedon; a visit to the set of Modern Family; breakfast with Tom Brokaw; lunch with designer Donna Karan and a meet-and-greet with designer Nicole Miller. The auction will take place online from April 10 until May 1, with one special item opening early on April 3 and closing on April 19. To bid, click here.
