Gender discrimination in nationality laws is a root cause of childhood statelessness. Gender-discriminatory policies and practices also contribute to statelessness among children. Twenty-five countries retain nationality laws that deny women the right to pass their nationality to their children on an equal basis with men.1 Three countries discriminate against men in terms of their ability to pass their nationality to their children born out of wedlock.2 These discriminatory laws can render children stateless when they are unable to acquire the nationality of the other parent, which can occur for a variety of reasons. In some countries, even where women have formal equality before the law with regard to nationality laws, gender-discriminatory policies and practices prevent women from independently accessing birth certificates and identity documentation for their children – documents that are often necessary for children to acquire a nationality. Children rendered stateless by gender-discriminatory laws and practices are often unable to enjoy a broad range of human rights, including family unity, freedom of movement, and access to education, healthcare, and a range of social services. “Gender equality is more than a goal itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.” – Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General G E N D E R D I S C R I M I N AT I O N A N D C H I L D H O O D S TAT E L E S S N E S S 3