Media Defence is calling for applications from women lawyers based in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a peer support programme for women lawyers with an interest in digital rights, independent peer learning and peer support with other women lawyers.

The peer support programme will be the first initiative of its kind under their new project Empowering Women in Digital Rights Advocacy. Media Defence aims to provide a platform for newly trained women lawyers to build their expertise and confidence, and to receive support on various issues relevant to women lawyers.

The peer support programme will be designed as a one-to-one programme - an experienced lawyer will be matched with a newly trained lawyer, taking into account their interests and background.

Objectives

Media Defence provides legal support to independent journalists, bloggers and media outlets and aims to help build and promote a strong network of lawyers. In this context, the peer support programme will provide a platform for women lawyers in sub-Saharan Africa to discuss relevant issues independently and build relationships.

• The objectives of this peer support programme are
  • To provide a platform for independent discussion of legal and personal challenges that are particularly relevant to women journalists and lawyers, such as professional growth and networking, career and experience in relevant litigation;
  • Building a digital rights network of women lawyers;
  • Supporting and developing working relationships between women lawyers interested in digital rights and freedom of expression online

Eligibility criteria

• Participants will be selected according to the following criteria:
  • The peer support programme is open to women lawyers working and residing in sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Applicants should have a demonstrated interest and/or knowledge of freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom and/or related issues;
  • Previous involvement in one of Media Defence's contentious surgeries;
  • Candidates must be fluent in English;
  • Women lawyers can either work in private practice or work for NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in East Africa through litigation. Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but who have experience in other human rights cases and a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will also be considered;
  • Possible future collaboration with Media Defence; and
  • Commitment to ongoing engagement with the network of digital rights lawyers in the region.

A maximum of 24 participants will be selected. Media Defence is committed to equality and diversity and will therefore take into account gender, age and country of origin when selecting participants. Due to the gender disparity in previous events and programmes, this event is exclusively for female lawyers.

For more information, please visit the Peer Support Programme website.