Building feminist lawyers in Sierra Leone

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.