Building feminist lawyers in Sierra Leone

On January 11th 2023, AdvocAid launched the Frances Claudia Wright Scholarship in the presence of close to 100 guests. This scholarship fund will provide financial and educational support to train the next generation of feminist lawyers and paralegals in Sierra Leone. This scholarship fund is an initiative to ‘Strengthen Sierra Leone’s Legal base’, an integral part of the AdvocAid 5-year feminist annual strategy, which recognizes that money and patriarchy are major obstacles for women seeking to advance through higher education as legal education.

At the launch, the keynote speaker, Barrister Yasmin Jusu Sheriff commended AdvocAid for commemorating the legacy of Frances Claudia Wright, the first female Sierra Leonean lawyer who also served as the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association and was trailblazer in the fight for women’s rights in Sierra Leone. Barrister Yasmin Jusu Sheriff acknowledged the importance of investing in women lawyers’ education as a means to empower the next generation of women lawyers who will help fight and advocate for a more gender-responsive criminal justice system in Sierra Leone. 

In her words she said: “If we recognise that we have a long way to go, we must also be prepared to start walking and where there is no road, we make a path. That is exactly what this scholarship fund is about. We are a long way but we are sowing the seeds and investing in the education and training of feminist lawyers.”

Barrister Yasmin Jusu Sheriff, acknowledged that every year, a good number of women lawyers are called to the bar but only a few take up the cause of justice and equality for women, which is what makes the scholarship unique, as it not only contributes to training more women lawyers, but feminist female lawyers specifically. She then congratulated the scholarship recipient. 

Ms. Umu Kulthum Sesay is the first Frances Claudia Wright Scholar. In her speech she said “the cost of legal education is expensive. With women being the minority in the legal profession, the scholarship is important to fill the financial gap for women and girls pursuing legal education and thus have an easier path towards education and career.” 

Her speech kicked off a powerful panel discussion on Building a Feminist Justice system in Sierra Leone which was moderated by politician Edward Kargbo, and heard from panelists Barrister Yasmin Jusu Sheriff,  Barrister and Solicitor Ms Fatmata Sorie, and AdvocAid’s Legal Manager Ms. Juliet Mamawa Kaikai. The key takeaway from the panel discussion was that advancing women’s rights is still a work in progress in Sierra Leone and for the Sierra Leone government to actualize this, domesticating international treaties such as CEDAW and working with feminist organizations advancing women’s rights should be a priority on its agenda. 

Another highlight at the launch was Commissioner Simitie Lavaly introducing Ms. Josephine  Dauda, who will be taking on the Board Chair leadership role from Ms. Sabrina Mahtani - a co-founder of AdvocAid. In the 17 years of AdvocAid’s existence, AdvocAid has provided legal support to over 15,000 women and girls and changed policies through advocacy. So this scholarship launch is a key step towards building a stronger pool of female lawyers and paralegals that will contribute greatly to the overall vision of a more gender-responsive justice system. 

AdvocAid greatly thanks everyone that donated to the scholarship and also contributed to its launch. It was a great success and we’re excited to not only learn more from Umu as she takes on the Scholarship, but also see how the programme expands! 

You can visit AdvocAid’s website to read about Ms. Umu Kulthum Sesay, the first Frances Claudia Wright scholarship recipient.

Links:

• Interview with Umu