UN-backed first women lawyers association opens in Somalia
24/7/2008 17:25
The first women lawyers association in Somalia has been established in the
Somaliland region with the help of the United Nations Development Program (
UNDP).
UNDP said in a statement that the association, which was created
earlier this year, currently has five members, with a further 17 women set to
graduate from the University of Hargeisa in September.
"It will take time for
the male-dominated legal profession to understand and accept the importance of
women lawyers in society," Antonia Lulvey, UNDP 's judiciary project manager,
said.
The UN agency has provided grants to enable women to attend the law
faculty, as well as supplying equipment, training and financial support to the
association.
The sole practicing female lawyer in Somaliland until last year
was Ifra Aden Omar, who currently heads the association. With UNDP's help, Omar
provides free legal aid services to women and juvenile cases -- most commonly
rape, domestic violence, divorce, child custody, child maintenance and
inheritance.
Currently there are no female prosecutors or judges in
Somaliland, according to UNDP, which says it is in discussions with local
officials on how to support new female law graduates to practise either as
prosecutors or trainee judges.
Xinhua
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