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The FeminaJustice Project is a flagship initiative of Lex Initiative for Rights Advocacy and Development (LIRAD), aimed at addressing the legal needs and rights of marginalised women in Nigeria. This comprehensive program focuses on empowering female lawyers, promoting feminist lawyering, and advocating for gender-responsive legal practices. The project is designed to ensure that women who face systemic discrimination and legal barriers—including LBQ women, women living with HIV, female sex workers, women who use drugs, and women living with disabilities—receive the legal support and representation they need to assert their rights and access justice.
At its core, the FeminaJustice Project offers free legal clinics and pro bono services to marginalised women, helping them navigate the complex legal systems that often work against them. Our legal team, consisting of trained feminist lawyers, provides representation in cases related to wrongful detention, gender-based violence (GBV), discrimination, violations of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and more. By offering these services, the project helps protect the dignity and human rights of women who are frequently overlooked or mistreated by traditional legal systems.
A critical component of the FeminaJustice Project is its focus on capacity building. We train and equip female lawyers to specialise in feminist lawyering, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for marginalised women. Additionally, the project includes training for paralegals, who work alongside feminist lawyers to provide support and expand the reach of our legal services.
Beyond legal representation, the FeminaJustice Project engages in strategic litigation aimed at challenging discriminatory laws and setting legal precedents that advance the rights of women. This aspect of the project seeks to create lasting, systemic change by addressing the root causes of legal inequalities and promoting reforms that align with international human rights standards.
Since 2023, the FeminaJustice Project has made significant strides, including securing the release of marginalised women from detention and paying fines for those convicted of petty offences. Notable cases include the successful defense of a woman remanded for sex work, the release of a mother and son imprisoned without proper legal oversight, and the support of a woman who was forced into drug sales due to economic hardship. These cases highlight the critical need for feminist legal advocacy and demonstrate the project’s commitment to justice.
The FeminaJustice Project also fosters community engagement by raising awareness about women’s legal rights and advocating for gender justice at both grassroots and national levels. Through public campaigns, community dialogues, and collaboration with civil society organisations, the project seeks to build a more equitable legal framework for all women.
Overall, the FeminaJustice Project is a transformative initiative dedicated to reshaping the legal landscape for marginalised women in Nigeria. By providing legal representation, empowering female lawyers, and challenging discriminatory laws, the project works to ensure that every woman can access justice, protection, and equality under the law.
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