In 1999, a small group of Cape Town women`s lawyers established an independently-funded, non-profit legal centre focused exclusively on women`s rights. Since then, the Women`s Legal Centre has gained a reputation in South Africa and abroad for promoting women`s rights, and several precedents have been set that will have a profound impact on the lives of many women. Rise is the first legal clinic of its kind in British Columbia, providing women with much-needed legal assistance in family law and related fields. Law students and high school lawyers work together at Rise to provide legal advice to women, help them file documents in court, represent them in provincial courts in certain cases, and generally help them enforce their family rights. The exercise of their constitutional rights is a major obstacle for women. The high cost of going to court makes it out of reach for women most in need of legal protection. The Women`s Law Centre is trying to change this by taking gratuitous lawsuits on behalf of women, challenging established principles and striking down discriminatory laws. The Centre improves access to justice in three ways: first, by providing legal advice and representation to women who have no other means of obtaining legal aid; second, by providing law students with the opportunity to learn how to provide community legal services and advocate for access to court and family law services in their legal careers; Third, by identifying cases that have the potential to advance women`s legal rights at a systemic level. We are advocates, experts and advocates fighting for gender equality and addressing issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. We drive change in the courts, public policy, and our society, especially for women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families. While South Africa has a strong constitution, the majority of black women have not seen any real improvement in their daily lives, especially in rural areas. The level of gender-based violence is extremely high, women are impoverished and vulnerable due to the dissolution of their relationships (loss of access to assets acquired during the relationship) and many women lack basic access to land or housing. Discrimination in the workplace is commonplace, as women are employed (if at all) in the most vulnerable sectors of our economy.
Women are more likely to be infected and severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and have difficulty accessing primary health care. Progress in the area of reproductive rights is constantly being challenged. The National Women`s Law Center promotes gender equality and works on issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. We use law in all its forms to change culture and find solutions for gender equality. Administrators and media inquiries (02) 6257 4377 admin@wlc.org.au Use this quick eligibility check to see if we can help you with your current issue Rise`s service delivery model is the result of extensive consultations with service providers across the country and is designed to complement and collaborate with existing community services. Services are not emergency-oriented and are only available by appointment to women with limited financial resources who use family law services. Find out what the centre does and how you can get help If you need help, please call our advice and intake line on 02 6257 4377 or ask for help online via the link below.