Support to LAZ National Legal Aid Clinic for Women

Below are examples of results achieved during the period January to December, 2024: Legal representation The National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW) had four strategy objectives. The first one concerned legal representation and aimed for providing timely legal aid services to underprivileged and vulnerable women and children in Zambia. NLACW has made significant strides in achieving this strategic objective. According to the evaluation, by the end of 2022, NLACW not only met but exceeded many of its performance targets. Out of more than 10,000 registered cases, the majority were civil, with less than 300 being criminal. The objective of providing timely legal aid services has been met, with targets exceeded. Legal representation has empowered vulnerable groups to claim their rights and receive remedies from the courts. The ongoing increase in cases underscores both the need for and appreciation of legal aid services provided by NLACW. Psychosocial counselling also continued to help clients recover from abuse and be more informed. NLACW has effectively provided timely legal aid to underprivileged women and children, significantly impacting empowerment and justice. However, challenges remain in increasing pro bono lawyer participation and refining client assessment methods. Continued efforts in these areas will enhance legal aid services in Zambia. Also noted by the Sida evaluation from 2023 is the MDPA aspect, where the evaluation team still did not find any focus on how disability and HIV/AIDS affects the socioeconomic status of clients. Legal Literacy The second strategic objective, improving legal literacy of women and children's rights, was effectively achieved, surpassing targets in various activities. Initiatives raised awareness and understanding of legal rights and the appropriate channels for seeking assistance. Legal literacy materials like posters and booklets were produced in simplified English and distributed to partners such as the Zambia Police Service (ZPS) and the Child Justice Forum (CJF). NLACW conducted 47 community workshops (target: 30) with 6,093 participants and 35 school workshops (target: 24) with 5,823 pupils, establishing a foundation for legal awareness. A total of 38 radio programs (target: 30) were aired in local languages on topics like marriage, divorce and women's property rights. Eight television programs (against a target of 5) covered GBV, children's rights, and women's employment rights. A short TV drama series addressed intestate succession, child marriage, and child custody. NLACW conducted 51 mobile clinics (target: 48), where 859 individuals received legal advice. Training for key justice system stakeholders, including magistrates, prosecutors, police officers, social welfare officers, and lawyers, was attended by 38 participants, focusing on GBV case management. Traditional leaders received training on GBV, childrens rights, intestate and land rights, and sensitisation on criminal case referrals which led to them making more informed decisions. In 2023, 29 community paralegal desks (target: 31) were established in partner organizations like police stations, Chiefdoms, and churches, offering basic legal advice and assistance to those unable to afford lawyers or unaware of how to access the formal justice system. Paralegal training had positive impact on knowledge, attitudes and practises. Advocacy The third strategic objective focused on advocating for laws and policies strengthening the rights of women and children. Significant progress has been made through various advocacy efforts and collaborations. In partnership with the International Women's Human Rights Law Clinic, Georgetown Law University, and Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), NLACW conducted a study on widow destitution. The study (2023) highlighted gaps in the Zambian succession law and called for a more progressive bill. To advocate for legal review as a result of the study findings, a dissemination meeting was held with 19 parliamentarians from the the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights, and Governance to revive the Intestate Succession Bill of 2013. This is expected to enhance women's inheritance rights. NLACW also held meetings with Government line Ministries and other stakeholders to review the Report on Widow dispossession and the draft Marriage Bill of 2021, recommending a uniform marriage age of 18 and prenuptial agreements. These recommendations informed a policy brief highlighting legal gaps. NLACW supported the Marriage (Amendment) Bill N.A.B. No. 13 of 2023, prohibiting child marriages and aligning with the Children's Code Act No. 12 of 2022. They advocated before the Parliamentary Committee and called for Penal Code amendments to introduce criminal sanctions for child marriage offenders. In commemoration of International Women's Day on 8th March, NLACW conducted various activities to promote women's rights under the theme 'DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality'. Activities included a march past, radio and television programmes, and a mobile clinic at the Lusaka Correctional Facility. NLACW joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence from 26th November to 10th December. The theme for 2023 was "UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls." NLACW was part of the government led delegation that attended the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Conference (CSW) in New York from 6th to 17th March, 2023, under the global theme "Innovation and Technological Change, and Education in the Digital Age for Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls," and its review theme "Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Rural Women and Girls."

To contribute towards creating a Zambian society where underprivileged and vulnerable women and children have fair and equal access to legal rights through legal representation The Embassy of Sweden provides core support to the Law Association of Zambia's National Legal Aid Clinic for Women's (NLACWs) current Strategic Plan 2019-2023 in the areas of Litigation, Legal Literacy, Advocacy and Sustainability.