Becoming a mother does not always come with equal rights under the law. A new campaign led by Equality Now and its partners is highlighting nationality laws that continue to discriminate against women. In several African countries, mothers are still unable to pass their nationality to their children or foreign spouses on the same basis as men.

The consequences extend far beyond legal documentation, affecting children’s access to education, healthcare and employment, and in some cases leaving them at risk of statelessness.

To unpack why equal nationality rights matter, what these laws mean for African families, and why advocates say reform is essential not only for gender equality but also for protecting children’s rights and strengthening societies across the continent, Mpho Sithole spoke to Mwikali Kasyoka, Lawyer and Legal Advisor at Equality Now’s Legal Equality team in the Africa office.

Becoming a mother does not always come with equal rights under the law. A new campaign led by Equality Now and its partners is highlighting nationality laws that continue to discriminate against women. In several African countries, mothers are still unable to pass their nationality to their children or foreign spouses on the same basis as men.
The consequences extend far beyond legal documentation, affecting children&rsquo;s access to education, healthcare and employment, and in some cases leaving them at risk of statelessness.
To unpack why equal nationality rights matter, what these laws mean for African families, and why advocates say reform is essential not only for gender equality but also for protecting children&rsquo;s rights and strengthening societies across the continent, Mpho Sithole spoke to Mwikali Kasyoka, Lawyer and Legal Advisor at Equality Now&rsquo;s Legal Equality team in the Africa office.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.

The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.

With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today’s conversations.

It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.

At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.
The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond&nbsp;to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.
With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today&rsquo;s conversations.
It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.
At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.