Applications Invited for Legal Fellowship Programme (2021-22)

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About the Organization:

South Asia Women Foundation India, SAWF IN, is the national women's fund in India. It supports women and trans* led organisations, collectives and individuals in their efforts towards movement building for gender justice in India. SAWF IN mobilises financial and non-financial resources for strengthening grassroots initiatives led by women and trans* people. SAWF IN was founded by Priya Paul and Suneeta Dhar in 2015, following deliberations on the need for securing local and indigenous resources to support women and trans* rights and justice work in India. SAWF IN seeks to influence mainstream philanthropy and nurture a community of donors, so that women and trans led initiatives are able to access flexible and sustained resources.

Legal Fellowship Programme (2021-22)

The Legal Fellowship Programme was initiated by SAWF IN in 2017 in partnership with Women's Fund Asia. The year-long fellowship support is aimed at enabling women lawyers hone feminist lawyering and litigation skills, and advocate for women and trans* rights. At the same time, the programme offers opportunities for peer learning, building networks with lawyers from other countries and receiving mentoring support from senior feminist lawyers.

SAWF IN is launching the call for legal fellows against the background of the humanitarian crisis unleashed by COVID 19. The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated social and economic inequalities in all forms. Numerous studies have shown that the effects of COVID have been particularly harsh on women and trans* people. Women’s groups have reported exacerbated incidents of inter spousal abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. For many such women legal recourse for the violations faced by them is highly challenging as they are either unaware of the remedies available or the legal system is highly intimidating and unresponsive to their situation. Further, the high cost of litigation also deters women from seeking the rights granted to them under the law.

Through the fellowship SAWF IN wishes to address the unmet need for litigation support to women who choose to use the legal remedies they are entitled to. The fellowship will support women lawyers practising at district courts to:

• Provide free legal aid and support to women and trans* litigants
• Build their own skills in feminist lawyering in primary courts, particularly in building constitutional arguments.
• Advocate for more gender responsive lawyering at district courts
• Lead and participate in actions that directly contribute to realising the rights of women and trans*

Who can apply?

• Applicant must be a citizen of India.
• Women and Trans* lawyers practicing in the district court of any state in India.
• With at least 1 year of experience in Courts, preferably on laws to protect rights of women, children and trans*
• Applicants below the age of 45 will be preferred.
• Preference will be given to individual applicants who belong to socially, economically and ethnically marginalized communities.
• Persons with experience of engaging with communities of women or trans* people, facilitating their leadership or has been an active supporter of the Indian women’s rights movement will be preferred.
• A self-motivated person.
• Good articulation skills and willingness to document their work extensively.
• Can dedicate one year towards the fellowship programme.
• Has internet connection or phone connectivity to participate in fellowship updates, workshops and reporting

For any query please feel free to write to legalfellowship.sawfin@gmail.com

For more information please check the Link