ABOUT WLSA WOMEN AND LAW IN SOUTHERN AFRICA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TRUST

WLSA PROFILE  Formed in 1989  Is the Local Chapter of a Sub Regional Organisation- which includes Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.  It is an organisation comprising of lawyers and social scientists committed to improving the lives of marginalized women and girls. 

WLSA COUNTRIES

WLSA PROFILE Continued  We aim to do this by promoting and protecting their rights through action-oriented research in the socio- legal field and advocating women’s rights.  By action oriented research we mean research which is intended to inform and influence action being taken to improve the socio-legal situation of women and girls.  WLSA work incorporates action into research by questioning and challenging the law, instigating campaigns for changes in law and in policies, educating women about their rights, providing legal advice and gender sensitizing communities and leadership during the course of the research.

TARGET GROUP

TARGET BENEFICIARY  Marginalized women and girls are the direct target group for WLSA. We have defined marginalized women and girls as those who are disadvantaged women in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. These are women and girls who:  have been left out in development issues  are socially, economically, politically and culturally marginalized  have limited access to resources which are critical for their survival.  have low literacy levels  who also suffer multiple jeopardy  lack access to information, education and campaign materials on issues that affect them.  are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS  Secondary beneficiaries include men, boys, Law and Policy makers, Journalists/media, Community leaders/members, civil society and the public in general and communities at large.

TARGET BENEFICIARY  Secondary beneficiaries include men, boys, Law and Policy makers, Journalists/media, Community leaders/members, civil society and the public in general and communities at large.

PROGRAMME AREAS INCLUDE:  Gender Justice and Equality  Legal rights education and capacity building  Legal aid and support services

GENDER JUSTICE AND EQUALITY  Empowerment of women training them on skills and lasting IGPs.  We aim to improve women's access to justice through initiatives with stakeholders in the field of justice  With the dawn of the New Constitution we aim to educate our beneficiaries on provisions on gender and gender equality.

LEGAL RIGHTS EDUCATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING  This program aims to raise awareness on laws and policies that affect women to women themselves, men, girls, boys, traditional leaders and CSOs.  Also involves development of training manuals and programs for specific targets.

LEGAL AID AND SUPPORT SERVICES  This involves offering free legal aid and counselling to indigent women and also drafting court papers and court representation.  Cases handled include domestic violence, GBV, maintenance, property and inheritance to mention a few.

THANK YOU!!