Blakes is pleased to announce that the 160 Girls project, which was championed by the equality effect, is being recognized by the United Nations as an example of international best practices for advancing women’s equality and empowerment. 160 Girls is one of seven initiatives/NGOs that will be recognized in a unique report being submitted to the UN Human Rights Council by the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women.
As a proud supporter of the equality effect, Blakes is sponsoring Fiona Sampson, CEO of the equality effect, and Nicole Henderson, who was a key contributor to the Blakes 160 Girls team, to attend a ceremony on June 8 in Geneva, Switzerland, where the report will be presented.
Blakes provided research and strategic litigation support to the 160 Girls project, which compels the enforcement of existing Kenyan laws prohibiting sexual assault and increases understanding of how systemic discrimination perpetuates such assaults. In May 2013, 160 Girls achieved a landmark victory, and Kenyan law enforcement officials were ordered to investigate and prosecute the crimes. Blakes has been assisting the equality effect in its efforts to enforce the order in Kenya and in the development of projects to implement similar test cases in Ghana and Malawi.
