Commonwealth youth gender activists launch global campaign to reform unjust colonial laws

Youth leaders that make up the Commonwealth Youth Gender & Equality Network (CYGEN) are proud to launch #Reform53 – Together for Legal Equality. CYGEN are calling on Commonwealth governments to reform laws that discriminate against people on the basis of their gender, many of which are a British colonial legacy.

#Reform53 will run from January until the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June 2020, when the 53 leaders of the Commonwealth will meet in Rwanda to agree a collective agenda. CYGEN youth leaders are hoping to capitalize on a recent wave of reforms taking place in Commonwealth countries such as Belize, Mozambique and Seychelles.

The campaign invites young people from across the Commonwealth to paint an equality symbol on their hand and share their messages for Commonwealth leaders on social media using #Reform53.