Women and the Law
"The evolution" of justice, democracy, and human rights is occurring in Africa, expressed a number of women lawyers, magistrates, and legal activists. They met informally with a panel of three speakers - Dave Peterson of the National Endowment for Democracy, Vernice Guthrie-Sullivan of the Africa Initiative at the American Bar Association, and Maria Koulouris of Global Rights - to discuss the rule of law and international involvement in its development in Africa.
Participants stressed the importance of strong outside influence to bring about judicial reform and the protection of human rights. Importantly, participants and speakers noted the advantage of strategic litigation, supported by international NGOs, to set precedence and bring to light certain cases ranging from property rights to gender-based violence.
Drafted by Thomas Gilchrist, Intern and Roseline Fodouop Tekeu, Program Assistant, Africa Program
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Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more