Peer Support Program for Women Lawyers in sub-Saharan Africa

Deadline: September 30, 2022

Media Defence is calling for applications from women lawyers based in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a peer support program, which is aimed at women lawyers with a demonstrated interest in digital rights, as well as in independent peer learning and peer support with fellow women lawyers. The peer support program will be the first such initiative within our new project Empowering Women in Digital Rights Advocacy. Media Defence aims to provide a platform for newly trained women lawyers to build their expertise and confidence and to receive support on various issues relevant to women lawyers. At the same time, the peer support program shall allow more experienced women lawyers to contribute to developing a strong professional network and to increase their competence and confidence by offering guidance to their peers.

Objectives

Media Defence provides legal support to journalists, bloggers and independent media and aims to contribute to building and promoting a strong network of lawyers. In this context, the peer support program shall offer a platform to women lawyers in sub-Saharan Africa to discuss relevant topics independently and to build connections.

The objectives of this peer support program are:

• To offer a platform to independently discuss legal and personal challenges which are particularly relevant to women journalists and lawyers, such as professional growth and network, career, and experience in litigating relevant cases;
• To build a digital rights network of women lawyers;
• To support and develop working relationships amongst women lawyers who are interested in digital rights and freedom of expression online

Media Defence will aim to contribute to building a strong network by hosting quarterly know-how events where all participants come together and have discussions as a group of women lawyers. However, Media Defence is not responsible for the content of the one-to-one sessions. We will only provide participants with monthly prompts and leading questions that can be discussed. 

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Eligibility Criteria

Participants will be selected on the following criteria:

• The peer support program is open to women lawyers who work and reside in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom, and/or related issues;
• Previous attendance at one of Media Defence’s litigation surgeries;
• Applicants must be proficient in English;
• The women lawyers can either be working in private practice or be working for or be affiliated with NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in East Africa through litigation. Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will be considered as well;
• Potential for future collaboration with Media Defence; and,
• Commitment to continued engagement with the network of digital rights lawyers in the region.

A maximum of 24 participants will be selected. Media Defence is committed to equality and diversity and will therefore consider gender, age, and country of origin in the selection of participants. Due to gender disparity in previous events and programs, this event is exclusively for women lawyers.

Application Registration Deadline: 30th September 2022

To Apply: Click here

Official Website: Click here