Our Mission Statement
Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre is a multi-disciplinary centre that promotes the rights of women to live free of violence and have access to adequate and appropriate services. This is done through the provision of free legal services and litigation, public education, research and advocacy.
About Us
The organisation provides quality, professional paralegal and victim empowerment services to women in connection with gender-based violence at their Johannesburg (Gauteng) and Acornhoek (Mpumalanga) offices. We also monitor implementation of key legislation relating to gender-based violence and intervene to address structural barriers to the implementation of legislation.
Achievements
In October 2008 the organisation (with the MRC and CSVR) published research on how rape cases fall out through the criminal justice system. The Tracking Justice research was extremely well received and the organisation received a call from the Deputy Minister of Justice requesting information on how to improve the criminal justice system in rape cases. Based on the research, the Department of Justice requested the organisation to contribute towards is rape policy and to conduct research for the Department.
Programmes
- Professional paralegal services
- Victim empowerment services
- Research on the criminal justice system
- Capacity building of communities and community-based organisations on domestic violence and rape laws and policies
- Monitoring of government implementation of laws and policies on domestic violence and rape
- Training of police, health workers and social workers on domestic violence and rape laws
Formal Affiliations
- National Working Group on Sexual Offences
- Paralegal Forum on Domestic Violence
- Sexual and Gender-based Violence research initiative
- Law and Human Rights Sector of the South African National AIDS Council
Goals and Objectives
- Improve access to justice for women experiencing the combined effects of gender-based violence
- Undertake strategic research to inform analysis and implementation of law and policies as well as strategic advocacy directions
- Engage in advocacy towards law and policy reform on gender-based violence
- Create awareness of gender-based violence issues as well as build the capacity of community based and service organisations to provide legal advice to women and monitor implementation at local level
