Building feminist lawyers in Sierra Leone

In response to the multifaceted issues faced by women within Sierra Leone's legal system and the recognition of the necessity for an interdisciplinary approach, AdvocAid launched the Feminist Law Lecture Series in partnership with the University of Makeni (UNIMAK). This initiative aimed to challenge Law and Development Studies students to explore the intersection of their education with feminism and social justice, with a particular focus on their future roles as lawyers and advocates within society, especially in interactions with marginalised groups.

The lecture series spanned four weeks, attracting over 70 students who participated in a weekly two-hour sessions. The series was a critical step in embedding feminist legal principles into the academic environment, fostering a deeper understanding of gender justice among Sierra Leone’s future legal professionals.

Justice Abdulai O. Charm, Head of the Law Department at UNIMAK and former Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, welcomed the initiative, emphasising the importance of understanding laws related to gender equality. He highlighted the need for future legal practitioners to address these issues to contribute to a more equitable world. “We are excited that AdvocAid is here to lecture our students about gender issues. These are the current issues that we need to address if we want to have a well-developed world where everyone is equal,” said Justice Charm.

The Lecture Series covered a range of critical topics aimed at linking education with feminism and social justice. Juliet Mamawa Kaikai Esq. introduced students to Feminist Legal Theory, discussing feminism, gender roles, African feminism, and the Maputo Protocol, with an emphasis on using the law to advance gender justice. Willietta Hughes Esq. focused on the Maputo Protocol, highlighting its role in advancing women's rights in Africa and the need for supportive feminist law reforms. Saramba Kandeh Esq. explored International Human Rights Law and the importance of strategic litigation in promoting gender equality. Finally, Rebecca M. Kabejja provided an overview of the legislative process, explaining how bills are introduced in Sierra Leone's Parliament and the distinction between government and private member bills.

The Feminist Law Lecture Series will extend to other universities, aligning with AdvocAid’s 5-year feminist strategy. This partnership with academic institutions is crucial in fostering a deeper understanding of gender justice and contributes to building a generation of feminist lawyers in Sierra Leone who are advocates for social justice.

The series concluded with an open writing competition and an oral submission on topics that the students dealt with and offered full tuition fees for the next academic year to four winners—two from the Law Department and two from Development Studies. This initiative has laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration between AdvocAid and educational institutions, promoting feminist legal and policy reform in Sierra Leone.

“I found the feminist law lecture series to be engaging and informative. As a young budding feminist aspiring to be a lawyer, I welcome more initiatives like this on our campus,” said Esther Kamara, a Law student at UNIMAK.

We continue to thank our donors. It is because of you that we are able to do provide a platfrom that allows students to have a deeper understanding of gender justice and continue to advance our mission.

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AdvocAid's mission to address the gender disparity within Sierra Leone's judiciary system and advocate for fair treatment of women and girls who come into contact with the law is making significant strides. With the country deeply rooted in traditional and patriarchal values, it is crucial to have more female representation within the judicial system to ensure cases are adjudicated with sensitivity and fairness.

One of the key challenges faced by women and girls in Sierra Leone is the lack of female representation in the judiciary system. This imbalance often leads to unjust treatment, as their unique circumstances are not fully understood or considered by male judges and magistrates. AdvocAid recognizes the importance of empowering women to enter the legal profession to bring about positive change in the legal landscape of the country.

As part of our efforts to achieve this mission, AdvocAid provides internship opportunities for young female graduates to gain hands-on experience in understanding and addressing the challenges faced by incarcerated women and girls. Through this initiative, we aim to equip the next generation of female lawyers with the necessary skills and knowledge to champion justice and equality for all.

In this report, one of our interns, a recent graduate and a young Sierra Leonean who has been doing her internship in the legal department, shares her transformative experience working with AdvocAid. She reflects on the eye-opening encounters with incarcerated women and girls and the profound impact it has had on her perspective and understanding of the legal system's shortcomings in addressing gender-based injustices.

“As a young, recent female law graduate embarking on my internship at AdvocAid, I entered a realm of profound transformation. Engaging firsthand with incarcerated women and girls, my experiences were eye-opening and soul-stirring. From visiting correctional facilities to immersing myself in workshops on safeguarding, feminist advocacy, and gender-sensitive training, I went deep into the heart of empowering these marginalized voices. Being part of the team providing legal support to the women arrested during the September 2023 protests following the General Elections, I navigated the complexities with unwavering determination. Documenting their poignant stories became the cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, amplifying the voices that often go unheard. Working close;y with social workers, we facilitated family tracing initiatives, ensuring that these women maintained vital connections with their loved ones. Through meticulous legal research, I fortified our arguments in court, standing as a steadfast advocate for justice and empowerment in the face of adversity. As a results of \internship .I have come to understand that issues such as poverty, structural inequalities and gender based violence are some of the driving factors behind women’s incarceration in Sierra Leone, shedding light on the urgent need for systemic change”

Thank you  GlobalGiving donors for making it possible for young people to learn about the plight of women and girls incarceration.