The rights of women and minorities are under attack. All over the world, and here as well.
It is this observation—both global and local—that lies at the heart of the campaign Equipop is launching today. A campaign focused on raising awareness, mobilizing citizens, and advocating for policy change, driven by a conviction rooted in thirty years of grassroots work: rights must be defended together, at every level.
A documented decline, a real emergency
The statistics speak for themselves. Sexual violence in conflict zones has increased by 20% over the past two years (according to UN Women). Ten European countries still criminalize abortion (according to Amnesty International). Worldwide, one in three women has experienced domestic or sexual violence (according to the WHO).
Behind these figures lies a structured phenomenon: the “backlash”—this organized offensive by anti-rights movements—is advancing simultaneously across all regions, in public debates as well as in the collective imagination. Feminist organizations, in France and internationally, are paying a tangible price: shrinking civic spaces, drastically reduced funding, and forced closures. What is happening there is happening here too.
Five rights under threat, the same logic at work
Equipop identifies five areas where setbacks are particularly concerning and interconnected.
Sexual and reproductive rights come first, whether it concerns access to abortion, contraception, or comprehensive sex education: challenging these rights reveals a mindset aimed at controlling people’s bodies that undermines all fundamental freedoms.
Next, the right to safety —on the street, at work, at home, or in times of war. The fight against gender-based and sexual violence remains severely underfunded, both in public policy and in nonprofit budgets.
Rights and freedoms of association: around the world, feminist organizations are being hindered, monitored, and threatened. This is not just an issue for activists: when citizens can no longer organize collectively, democracy is undermined.
Justice and the rule of law: attacks on the rights of women and minorities are part of a broader movement to challenge judicial institutions and weaken checks and balances.
Finally, the right to reliable and inclusive information: media consolidation, attacks on journalists, and the silencing of women and minorities. When the integrity of information is undermined, the very foundations of democratic debate crumble.
One answer: international feminist solidarity
In the face of these coordinated attacks, there is a response: solidarity that connects struggles, amplifies voices, and pools resources across borders. This has been at the heart of Equipop’s work for over thirty years, in France, Europe, West Africa, and international advocacy forums.
The goal of this campaign is to make the defense of rights and support for international solidarity an explicit political priority.
A petition, an advocacy campaign, a national tour
This campaign centers on a petition addressed to members of Congress, local elected officials, and future candidates for the presidential and congressional elections. Equipop will formally submit it in the fall of 2026 and again in early 2027. Every voice counts.
The campaign is also taking on a traveling format with the Solidarity Tour, which will kick off in Lyon from May 19 to 29, 2026. Through conferences, workshops, and public events, this ten-day initiative aims to bring to life the connection between local struggles and global issues, featuring the grassroots activists who lead these efforts on a daily basis.
Lyon is just the beginning. The Solidarity Tour is set to expand to other cities, because Equipop is convinced that international solidarity is also built at the local level.
Take action now
Sign the petition, stay informed through the newsletter, provide financial support for on-the-ground initiatives, and participate in events: there are many ways to get involved.
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