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.

1. Project Description

About Transform: Transform is a three-year USAID funded global pilot initiative, which seeks to support practical approaches to preventing, mitigating, and responding to Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV),with a focus on addressing violence impacting women in politics & public life.

COVAW is implementing the Transform project in Kenya alongside other partners. Key activities to be implemented include providing pro bono legal aid services to survivors of TFGBV, developing an advocacy brief on legislative interventions for effective management of TFGBV cases, and supporting review of existing legislation to recognize TFGBV as a form of sexual violence, among other activities.

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

Over the years, COVAW has received numerous cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) 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 digital age, these violations have expanded to online platforms. Digital technology is now enabling new and intensified forms of gender-based violence such as sextortion (blackmail by threatening to publish sexual information, photos or videos); image-based abuse (sharing intimate photos without consent); doxxing (publishing private personal information); cyberbullying; online gender and sexual harassment; cyberstalking; online grooming for sexual assault; hacking; hate speech; online impersonation; and using technology to locate survivors of abuse to inflict further violence, among many others. [1]

Technological Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV,) although not a new issue, has surged recently. This poses serious threats not only to Women and girls’ safety and well-being both online and offline but, also undermining women’s rights to participate in key decision-making processes; especially to Women in Politics and Public Life (WIPPL) exacerbating their underrepresentation in civic spaces. This thus emphasizes the critical need to protect and uphold women’s rights in the digital era. To address these issues we seek to link our pro bono advocates to the survivors of TFGBV who have difficulty in obtaining legal services, as well as financial insecurities that affect their access to legal support, leading to difficulty in navigating court systems.

To this end, COVAW in line with Transform wishes to expand its pro bono Advocates network to include 10 Advocates based in Mombasa County who will be vital in facilitating access to justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence particularly technologically facilitated gender-based violence cases; from the start of the cases to their conclusion in court. Ultimately, COVAW aims to address violence experienced by women in politics and public life. (WIPPL)

1. Requirements and Qualifications
2. Duties and responsibilities;

The prospective candidates should: –

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

1. Benefits to our Pro-bono Advocates

• Opportunities for service and enhancement of access to justice for Survivors of TFGBV. Including women in politics and public life and other marginalized communities.
• Capacity building opportunities.
• Opportunities for personal growth and development on human rights and TFGBV programming through exposure to various trainings;
• Networking opportunities

A modest stipend for the pro bono legal services