"Raping a worldly woman is less serious than raping an 18 year old virgin." - Judge, Australi

Around the world, judges present themselves as agents who are neutral, apolitical, and independent. However, a comprehensive study by Madrid-based Women's Link Worldwide brought to light many of these judicial myths.

Women's Link proposes a new vision of the courts - one that sees the courts as a political stage - and encourages civil society to strategically engage in a dialogue with the judiciary on how rights can and should be interpreted. But how to approach these seemingly intractable biases?

EqualShot led Women's Link through a strategic planning process which resulted in an innovative way to highlight the role of the judiciary in women's rights. Beginning in 2009, Women's Link has hosted the annual "Gender Justice Uncovered Awards" - giving credit to positive legal decisions in Latin America and Spain, and calling attention to abuses.

Follow this link too learn more about Gender Justice Uncovered and to see a short animation about the award.

When Colombian lawyer Monica Roa of Women's Link Worldwide decided to constitutionally challenge Colombia's abortion law - which prohibited the procedure without exception - she turned to EqualShot to develop an international communications plan.

EqualShot sought to change public opinion on abortion, taking it outside the domain of religious politics and proving once and for all that criminalizing abortion does not reduce abortion rates and only endangers the lives of women.

The results have been unprecedented: in an historic decision, Colombia’s high court voted to liberalize abortion, and national and international opinion fully endorsed the move.

EqualShot was able to gain placements in the New York Times (including a front-page placement), aNew York Times/International Herald Tribune editorial calling for abortion rights in Latin America, coverage on the BBC and in the Economist, Associated Press, Miami Herald,Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, among many others.