De arbejder frivilligt, og der sker forandringer takket være deres indsats. De arbejder med vold mod kvinder, tvangsægteskaber og familieanliggender som skilsmisse, arv, fødselscertifikater, retten til jord og adgang til retsvæsnet.
DEME SO i Mali er partnerorganisation for det danske Institut for Menneskerettigheder, der i en ny artikel præsenterer nogle af de frivillige i retshjælpen.
Name: Awa Sidibe
Age: 42
Education: Technical training
Region: Sikasso
City: Finkolo
Why did you become a paralegal?
I was initially project leader/facilitator for various NGOs working in the field of violence against women and female genital mutilation. My work consisted in doing a lot of mediation. I was noticed by the regional paralegal coordinator who called me. That is how I became a paralegal.
Can you provide us some examples of cases you treated in 2016?
In 2016, I essentially facilitated awareness-raising sessions during which I talked about women’s health issues/questions and the importance of obtaining birth certificates. Too few women know that they themselves can obtain a birth certificate for their children. Many still think that only their husbands can do it.
How did you manage to gain acceptance in your community as a paralegal?
It was not difficult for me to be accepted as a paralegal since I was already well known through the activities I undertook as a project facilitator.
What difficulties do you encounter in your role as a paralegal?
During the rainy season, it is difficult to have people’s attention in the villages during the awareness-raising sessions because everyone is busy with their work in the fields. Some of our traditions and customs also make it difficult for our paralegals to work. For example, women are often neglected in obtaining land titles.
Mød flere af DEME SO’s frivillige hos Institut for Menneskerettigheder
