AWW Mentorship Program Joins Global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
The Vance Center's Advancing Women in the Workplace (AWW) mentorship program marked the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a series of events focused on supporting communities in different provinces in South Africa.
AWW mentors at a networking event in Johannesburg, November 28, 2023. Photo credit: ENSafrica
The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign begins on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs through December 10, Human Rights Day. Inspired by the 2023 theme of the parallel UN campaign, “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,” AWW participants joined in activities geared towards ending violence against women and strengthening interest in social justice among their network of legal practitioners in South Africa.
Advancing Women in the Workplace is a two-year program, now in its second year, that aims to support women of color in accessing leadership roles within the legal profession through mentorship, professional development opportunities, and other tools.
AWW and partners organized a legal service desk at the Point Family Court in Durban, November 28, 2023. Photo credit: Asha Sewpersad
On November 28, the AWW program partnered with South Africa’s Department of Justice, the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA), the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, and Varsity College in KwaZulu-Natal province to run an interprovincial legal service desk at the Point Family Court in Durban. This court handles most of the domestic violence, maintenance, children’s rights, and protection from harassment cases in the province, and many community members attending court need legal advice or legal representation. The team provided community members with information and legal advice on issues related to domestic violence.
AWW organized a legal service desk at the Brits Magistrate Court in North West province, November 30, 2023. Photo credit: Atalia Nyembe
On November 30, AWW organized another legal service desk at the entrance to Brits Magistrate Court in North West province. The group staffing the table – AWW mentees Atalia Nyembe and Litha Stwayi and mentor Magistrate Nene Rakgetsi, with support from SAWLA member Adv Mary Mabotja-Kgwale and Vance Center AWW consultant Dr. Kim Lamont-Mbawuli – offered community members tools, information, and guidance on different types of legal assistance and answered questions on topics including protection orders and the rights of children.
AWW participants speak with community members at the legal service desk outside the Brits Magistrate Court in North West province, November 30, 2023. Photo credit: Atalia Nyembe
AWW participants speak with community members at the legal service desk outside the Brits Magistrate Court in North West province, November 30, 2023. Photo credit: Atalia Nyembe
In addition to providing direct service and community support, AWW also focused on strengthening the program’s own network this month.
On November 28, AWW held an event to launch a planned quarterly meeting series for program mentors. The kickoff meeting, titled “Collective Good and the Impact of Legal Practitioners on Community Engagement,” was hosted by the law firm ENSafrica and organized by the two participating mentors from ENSafrica, Balindile Shezi and Ntsiki Adonisi-Kgame.
AWW mentor support committee member Adv Shireen Said moderated a panel featuring insights from a range of panelists. Constitutional lawyer Lwando Xaso discussed South Africa’s constitution and how to use the law not just as a means to an end, but as a tool to build a more just society. Shezi, a director in ENSafrica’s employment law practice, analyzed a new community service regulation in South Africa and noted how legal practitioners can support community justice through even the smallest amount of pro bono legal service. Lawyer and strategist Naomi Thompson focused on the use of technology to support and facilitate access to justice. The evening concluded with a cocktail reception, offering an opportunity for the senior legal practitioners lending their time and expertise as mentors to network, learn, and build connections with one another.
AWW mentors at a networking event in Johannesburg, November 28, 2023. Photo credit: ENSafrica