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.