Nationality laws that discriminate on the basis of gender exacerbate the hardships facing affected families, including family separation Today, twenty-five countries have gender discriminatory provisions in their nationality laws denying women equal rights with men to confer nationality to their children. At least fifty countries deny women and men equal rights to confer nationality to their non-citizen spouses. Both types of gender discrimination can lead to statelessness and often result in family members of female citizens of these countries having to rely on visas to lawfully reside in the country of their mother or spouse. Coalition members of the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights have reported that current restrictions in many countries on entry into the territory to citizens only has led to cases of family separation. Families affected by gender discriminatory provisions also face other hardships that are now exacerbated by the crisis. In many countries, non-citizens do not have access to testing and treatment, and financial relief packages are not available to them. Gender discriminatory nationality laws can also increase barriers that women may face to leave abusive relationships, for example in cases where children would not be able to move with their mother were she to leave. For more information on gender discrimination as it relates to nationality matters, see UNHCR’s Background Note on Gender Discrimination in Nationality Laws. Recommendations (drawing on those issued by the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights) § § § Ensure that spouses and children of female citizens are permitted to enter the country. Provide access to healthcare and COVID 19-related services and economic relief to the families of female citizens on an equal basis with families of male citizens. Enact reforms to uphold citizens’ right to confer nationality on spouses and children and to acquire, change, and retain nationality on an equal basis regardless of gender. UNHCR / May 2020 7