CALL: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR PRO BONO ADVOCATES

1. About Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW)

Coalition on Violence against Women (COVAW) is national non-profit women’s rights organization in Kenya founded in 1995 as a response to the silence of the Kenyan society in addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). COVAW is committed to advancing women’s rights and works towards achieving a society free from all forms of VAWG.

COVAW’s work is guided by its Vision “A society where women and girls enjoy equal rights, freedoms and thrive in safe spaces. COVAW exists to champion the rights of women and girls to be free from all forms of violations.”

COVAW’s interventions deliberately address norms, attitudes, laws, policies, and practices that affect women’s and girls’ safety and well-being in general. This is achieved through the implementation of gender progressive practices and supporting the development of regulatory and institutional frameworks. Additionally, we foster consistent engagement of regulatory and institutional response to violence against women and girls (VAWG) and advocate for accountability in the handling of perpetrators. Our key stakeholders are the community, civil society, government, and private sector.

2. Project Description

COVAW is implementing a project in partnership with Urgent Action Fund-Africa (UAF) titled Building a Safer Muselele: “Building a Safer Muselele: A Community-Driven Project to Mitigate and Respond to Gender-Based Violence” The project seeks to address the prevention, response, and mitigation of GBV in Muselele, Kitui County.

Key activities to be implemented include providing pro bono legal aid services to survivors of GBV, creating GBV awareness through community dialogues and engaging with key stakeholders in GBV prevention, response and mitigation among other activities.

3. Background: COVAW’s Access to Justice Strategic Area

Over the years, COVAW has received numerous cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and has actively supported survivors in accessing justice. The objective of Access to Justice is to enhance the availability of appropriate legal remedies for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG). In the present project, COVAW aims to improve access to justice in Muselele, allowing GBV survivors the opportunity to have representation, as most are disadvantaged due to the lack of proximity to justice institutions and limited financial resources. The project will enable women and girls who are economically disadvantaged to access justice through legal representation.

1. Situational Analysis

The risk of violence against women and girls in Muselele is exacerbated by severe limitations in access to essential services. Survivors often endure strenuous journeys of over twenty kilometers to reach the nearest police station, contributing to a disturbing trend of underreported GBV cases. This underreporting stems from a myriad of factors: the crushing weight of social stigma that shames and blames survivors, the fear of retaliation from perpetrators or their enablers, and a profound distrust in the justice system’s capacity to protect and deliver justice. This pervasive underreporting not only denies survivors crucial support but also obscures the true magnitude of the GBV crisis within the community, hindering effective prevention and response efforts.

Additionally, there is a disturbing trend of the prevalence of informal, community-led resolutions for GBV cases, particularly those involving sexual assault. These informal settlements, often driven by cultural norms and the pressure to maintain social harmony, prioritize the appeasement of offenders over the pursuit of justice for the victim. This practice not only deprives survivors of their fundamental right to legal recourse but also perpetuates a cycle of impunity for perpetrators, shielding them from meaningful accountability.

The pursuit of justice through the formal legal system presents its own set of daunting obstacles. Survivors must undertake arduous journeys of over fifty kilometers to reach the nearest court in Kitui town. Moreover, the region suffers from a severe shortage of legal professionals, leaving survivors vulnerable to inadequate and ineffective legal representation. These systemic barriers significantly impede access to justice for survivors of domestic violence in Muselele.

To address these critical issues, COVAW has established a vital partnership with a network of pro bono advocates. These dedicated professionals play a pivotal role in identifying and dismantling the obstacles that hinder the timely and effective resolution of GBV cases. They champion women’s rights within the legal system, challenging harmful cultural practices and ensuring that the needs and interests of survivors are paramount throughout the legal process. By providing access to free legal representation, particularly for those who cannot afford private counsel, COVAW empowers survivors and strives to create a more equitable and just legal system for all.

To this end, COVAW wishes to expand its pro bono Advocates network to include 10 Advocates based in Kitui County who will be vital in facilitating access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence particularly those from Muselele area; from the start of the cases to their conclusion in court.

1. Requirements and Qualifications

The prospective candidates should: –

1. Be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate;
2. Be a Member of the Law Society of Kenya in their respective branch.
3. Interested in offering pro-bono legal services to victims of sexual and gender-based violence to ensure access to justice.
4. At least two (2) years of experience in litigation post-admission, preferably on human rights issues.
5. Physically based in Kitui County.
6. Duties and responsibilities;
7. Provide comprehensive legal advice and representation to COVAW GBV clients.
8. Ensure court attendance of the matters assigned.
9. Send monthly reports to COVAW on case progress.
10. Ensure communication with clients on the progress of their case and especially notify them of key hearing dates when their attendance is required.
11. Liaise with COVAW Access to justice Programme Officer for further assistance and support regarding the cases.
12. Ensure that matters are dealt with utmost confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination.
13. Liaise with key justice actors (judiciary, prosecutors, police) to ensure the matters are expedited and given priority.
14. Ready and willing to offer pro-bono services as and when called upon to do so by COVAW.
15. Adhere to COVAW values and ethical standards

6. Benefits to our Pro-bono Advocates

1. Opportunities for service and enhancement of access to justice for Survivors of SGBV especially women and girls in marginalized communities.
2. Capacity building opportunities.
3. Opportunities for personal growth and development on human rights and SGBV programming through exposure to various trainings;
4. Networking opportunities
5. A modest stipend for the pro bono legal services.

7. Reporting

The Pro-bono Advocates will report to the Programme Officer-Access to Justice.