The Association of Senegalese Women Jurists (AJS) is strengthening its commitment to access to justice through the launch of a mobile legal clinic in the town of Malicounda.

This initiative is part of a dynamic to promote the rule of law, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.3, which aims to guarantee equitable access to justice for all.

Women's access to justice remains limited

Despite the efforts made by the Senegalese government to bring the courts closer to the people, many women and girls continue to face major obstacles. These difficulties include a lack of awareness of their rights, economic dependence, distance from courts, as well as socio-cultural barriers and stigmatization.

These constraints hinder their ability to denounce violence, assert their rights, or obtain redress.

Thus, to meet these challenges, the AJS is relying on an innovative system: a mobile shop offering free information, guidance and legal support services.

According to Aminata Fall Niang, president of AJS, this project is the result of a long-standing reflection.

"The idea of the mobile shop came about because we cannot cover the entire national territory. Thanks to mobility, we can reach populations who do not have access to legal services," she explains.

She points out that this concept complements the existing fixed stores, of which there are about ten, but which are still insufficient to meet the needs.

Legal aid clinics offer free and confidential legal consultations, referrals of survivors of violence to appropriate services, support in legal proceedings, and community awareness campaigns.

"Our services are free, but also of high quality, because they are provided by experienced lawyers," explains the president of the AJS.

The program specifically targets rural and peri-urban areas, where barriers to accessing justice are more pronounced. The approach adopted is participatory, inclusive, and respectful of the beneficiaries' confidentiality.

She points out that since their creation in 2008, the legal aid shops have welcomed more than 68,000 people, more than 80% of whom are women, proof of their relevance in the Senegalese context.

Beyond legal assistance, this initiative also aims to strengthen public trust in judicial institutions and promote a culture of equality before the law.

The AJS hopes to see these shops heavily frequented, an essential condition for their impact.

"A shop without users cannot fulfill its mission. We are counting on the people to take ownership of this tool," insists Aminata Fall Niang.