This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This is the final report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR). The WLR worked to advance the legal, civil, property, and human rights of women in 10 developing countries:  Albania, Benin, Guatemala, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Swaziland.  It was implemented from 2002 to 2007 by Chemonics International in partnership with the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), MetaMetrics, Inc., and Partners of the Americas.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This document is a French-language paralegal manual on the Benin Family Code.

This is the original French-language version of Benin's sexual harassment legislation.

This is a French-language pamphlet that explains Benin's family code. It covers a variety of issues, including marriage, divorce, and children.

This is a French-language manual on the Benin Family Code. It is comprised of two parts: (1) basic paralegal training for community members without formal legal education, and (2) information regarding the reformed Benin Family Code. The manual aims to be an easy-to-use tool that civil society organizations, teachers, midwives, city hall workers, community leaders, and others have used to inform Benin's citizens of their rights and responsibilities under the Family Code.

This one-pager describes the achievements of USAID's Women's Legal Rights Initiative in Benin. With encouragement from the project, Benin has adopted national reforms that render many longstanding local customs illegal. However, awareness is low and enforcement is weak. The Women's Legal Rights Benin team, with local partners, visits remote areas of the country informing women and men about the new laws.

This document reports on the findings of a two-week assessment and analysis trip to Benin by the Women's Legal Rights Initiative. The goal of the trip was to determine pervasive obstacles to the enforcement and enjoyment of women’s legal rights in Benin. The document includes an overview of USAID and other donor programs in Benin, background information on Benin's government and NGO community, findings and recommendations, and a proposed strategy for promoting the women's legal rights in Benin.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

The subject of inheritance has always been very close to the hearts of many Basotho, and it is often at the center of legal disputes. Lesotho has a dual legal system, meaning that it operates and maintains in parallel two legal systems, customary and statutory. This report deals with both legal systems.

This brochure, offered in both the English and Sesotho languages, describes how to create a sound and accurate will and provides a sample of a will. While the Basotho people are not used to drawing up wills, doing so has become necessary for everyone, especially in light of HIV/AIDS. In addition, wills are of the utmost importance in protecting women's and children's inheritances.

This report describes a paralegal training activity in Leribe district, Lesotho, which was undertaken by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and received financial support from USAID and other donors. The 17 participants included youth leaders, support groups, a teacher, a farmer, a chief, and a police officer. The program aimed to equip participants with knowledge of the rudiments of marriage and inheritance, child welfare, sexual offense, land, and labor laws in order to enable them to appreciate and deal with  the day-to-day problems they encountered in their communities.

This brochure describes Lesotho's statutory and customary marriage laws. Topics covered include consent, divorce, child custody and care, and division of property. Also discussed are the conflicts in marriage law posed by Lesotho's dual legal system.

This manual, revised by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Lesotho) in 2006, is designed to assist in the training of paralegals in Lesotho. The manual serves as a guideline that trainers can adapt to their own training strategies. The manual includes information on Lesotho's legal system; criminal and civil law procedures; family, inheritance, labor, and property laws; and sexual violence and human rights.

This brochure, created by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), aims to simplify Lesotho's 2003 Sexual Offenses Act. The Act is meant to consolidate and repeal all laws relating to sexual offenses. Its main objectives are to combat sexual violence (including child prostitution) and to prescribe appropriate sentences for sexual offenses.

This document presents several stories to illustrate how women in Lesotho were powerless under the old constitution and laws governing marriage and how the amended new constitution of equality of married counterparts attempts to rectify this. Under the new constitution, all laws giving men sole power in marriage and in community of property will be done away with. A married woman will have the power to make her own decisions about money and employment and about her children (including regarding their education and marriage); she will also be able to inherit property and have a say in matters affecting family property.

This brochure attempts to simplify the Lesotho government's new Land Bill. The Bill's objectives are to provide for the granting of land titles, facilitate the conversion of land titles, better secure titles to land, manage land, grant public servitudes, settle land disputes, and repeal earlier land laws. The Bill protects the rights of women specifically by placing them on the same footing as their male counterparts.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This French language document includes the objectives, agenda, and hypothetical case studies for a training workshop for Malagasy magistrates. The workshop was on the implementation of international women's rights at the national level.

This French language document provides sample questionnaires for surveying women and girls about violence.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This two-page case study describes USAID's work facilitating the passage of anti-trafficking legislation in Mozambique through the Women's Legal Rights Initiative. The project partnered with the Ministry of Justice and a local non-governmental organization (NGO) network to draft a bill while leading outreach and advocacy efforts in support of its passage. In April 2008, the Mozambique National Assembly unanimously passed legislation to punish traffickers and protect victims and witnesses of human trafficking.

Earlier ver. was erroneously distributed under title: Republic of Mozambique, Ministry of Justice : bill against trafficking in persons | Women's legal rights initiative (WLR) | Task order under the Women in Development IQC

Women's legal rights initiative (WLR) | Gender research and advocacy project

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

In assessments conducted in October of 2004 and 2005, the Women's Legal Rights Initiative-Rwanda found that both the government of Rwanda and civil society wanted more information on activities addressing gender-based violence (GBV) throughout Rwanda, as well as collaboration among actors working in the area of GBV. This assessment seeks to address these concerns by documenting activities currently being conducted to address GBV in Rwanda, as well as any current collaborative activities and coordination. It finds that collaboration does exist in Rwanda but has been very limited in quality and quantity.

This course is designed to help judges, lawyers, and prosecutors in Rwanda acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to make gender-sensitive decisions in domestic relations cases. It aims to provide course participants with information on:

• what gender means;
• how domestic relations laws affect women and men differently;
• the basic international obligations relating to gender equity and the equality of women and men;
• how new domestic relations laws differ from custom and practice; and
• how domestic violence interferes with the rule of law in Rwandan society.

Women's Legal Rights and the Rwandan Family (16 Mar 2006 : Hotel Novetel : Kigali, RW) | Women's legal rights initiative (WLR) Rwanda | Women in development IQC | Kinyarwanda ed.: PN-ADH-914

Women's legal rights initiative (WLR)

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This report outlines four best practices recommended by the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) legal specialists for the design and implementation of a women’s legal rights initiative. The recommended practices are illustrated with examples from organizations in the WLR focus countries and regions: Guatemala, Albania and Southern Africa. Using a variety of methods, each of these organizations has successfully implemented an element of one of the four best practices presented.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This is an annotated bibliography of 11 studies on women's inheritance and property rights in Southern Africa, with a particular focus on Swaziland.

Women's legal rights initiative (WLR) | Women in development IQC

Task order under the Women in Development IQC

Women's legal rights initiative (WLR)

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This is an annotated bibliography of 11 studies on women's inheritance and property rights in Southern Africa, with a particular focus on Swaziland.

Women's legal rights initiative (WLR) | Project title: Women in development IQC

This manual outlines the specifics of an Albanian law to help victims of domestic violence -- introduced into Parliament by a citizen's petition in January 2006 -- and outlines the law's interconnection with existing law. As well, the manual presents detailed information about implementing the law effectively and provides specific forms and detailed procedures. This outline of law and procedure is intended to give judges a useful tool for implementing the law.

In 2006, independent consultant Dianne Post assisted Albanian policy makers in their efforts to implement Albania's new law against domestic violence. In this report, Ms. Post summarizes her activities and provides recommendations for further action by Albanian authorities.

This document describes the specific procedures for health care providers outlined in the Albanian "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law. It summarizes the results of a study that found that improved health services for domestic violence victims and better education of health care providers was needed. The document then lists the essential elements of a proper domestic violence screening and provides the text of applicable Albanian laws, covering reporting and confidentiality requirements, criminal reports from medical personnel, and expert witness testimony.

This document describes the specific procedures for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) outlined in the Albanian "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law. It covers the role of NGOs in protecting the domestic violence victim and in implementing a protection order. In addition, it suggests questions to assist NGO staff in getting necessary information and provides a list of the relevant laws that deal with reporting a crime and serving as an expert witness.

This document describes the specific procedures for police outlined in the Albanian "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law. It covers communications procedures for emergency call operators; procedures for police officers responding to and investigating domestic violence cases, assisting with protection orders, and writing incident reports; and special considerations for police officers in their roles as protectors of victims and enforcers of protection orders. The document also lists the articles of the criminal code and the criminal procedure code that police should consider in domestic violence cases.

This document describes the specific procedures for social service providers outlined in the Albanian "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law. It covers the obligations of the local government social services units and the role that social service providers play in protecting victims and implementing protection orders. After summarizing the results of a study that found that improved health services for domestic violence victims and better education of health care providers was needed, the document lists the essential elements of a proper domestic violence screening. Lastly, it provides the text of applicable Albanian laws, covering professional confidentiality and expert testimony.

This report outlines four best practices recommended by the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) legal specialists for the design and implementation of a women’s legal rights initiative. The recommended practices are illustrated with examples from organizations in the WLR focus countries and regions: Guatemala, Albania and Southern Africa. Using a variety of methods, each of these organizations has successfully implemented an element of one of the four best practices presented.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

The Women's Legal Rights Initiative produced and published this manual in furtherance of its mission to develop and conduct educational programs for members of the Albanian judiciary. The manual is designed to assist the Albanian judiciary in the implementation of new legislation on trafficking in persons. It includes commentaries on the law, community resources available to victims and witnesses, checklists and forms for case management, and a discussion of special issues related to trial proceedings, evidence admission, and testimony of experts.

This manual is intended as a resource for law enforcement, the prosecution, health care and social service providers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the judiciary to begin the process of improving Albania’s response to victims of domestic violence. A blueprint for coordinated action and the outline for necessary secondary legislation, the manual includes the protocols for the law enforcement, prosecution, health, social service, and NGO sectors, as well as draft law.

This draft of the "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law was introduced to the Albanian Parliament in January 2006. Annotations and suggested changes were written by consultant Dianne Post in July 2006. The purpose of this law is: 1. To prevent and reduce domestic violence in all its forms by appropriate legal means, 2. To guarantee legal protection to members of the family who are subjects of domestic violence, paying particular attention to needs of children, the elderly, and the disabled.

This final report details the "Public Awareness Raising Campaign on the Existence and the Importance of Using [the] CEDAW Convention in Albania" project, the main goal of which was to disseminate information on CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and the extent to which the country had met its obligation under the convention. The report describes the project's goals and objectives, how project activities were implemented, how implementation problems were addressed, and what results were achieved.

This document describes the specific procedures for prosecutors outlined in the Albanian "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" law. It describes the special role prosecutors play in protecting victims and enforcing protection orders and provides information on special issues that prosecutors should consider when working on domestic violence cases. In addition, the document lists the articles of the criminal code and the criminal procedure code that prosecutors should consider in domestic violence cases.

This is the final report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR). The WLR worked to advance the legal, civil, property, and human rights of women in 10 developing countries:  Albania, Benin, Guatemala, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Swaziland.  It was implemented from 2002 to 2007 by Chemonics International in partnership with the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), MetaMetrics, Inc., and Partners of the Americas.

To begin the process of designing activities for USAID/Albania to implement with the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR), a two-week assessment and analysis trip to Albania was conducted from June 29 to July 11, 2003. The WLR team found that while there have been recent improvements in the legal framework to support women’s legal rights, deficiencies remain, including the lack of a domestic violence law, lack of compliance with international norms for women’s rights, and weak judicial enforcement of laws. The WLR team identified a number of emerging areas for cooperation and assistance that included anti-trafficking, domestic violence, and family law issues.

This report outlines four best practices recommended by the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) legal specialists for the design and implementation of a women’s legal rights initiative. The recommended practices are illustrated with examples from organizations in the WLR focus countries and regions: Guatemala, Albania and Southern Africa. Using a variety of methods, each of these organizations has successfully implemented an element of one of the four best practices presented.

This annual report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) discusses best practices and reviews lessons learned, approaches, and activities that offer ideas about what works best in a given situation -- or how not to do something. This third annual report takes a broader perspective on best practices and lessons learned than previous reports did. It still focuses on WLR country program activities but considers the process used for developing the activity within each of the project's intermediate results, the need for and benefit of sound monitoring and evaluation plans, including indicators and data collection, and strategies for project management.

This report summarizes the Guatemalan Domestic Violence Law with Gender and Multicultural Perspectives activity, which was implemented by the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) between December 2003 and June 2004. The report covers the study's objectives, implementation, results, lessons learned, and best practices. The activity was divided into three phases: phase I laid the foundation for inter-institutional relationships and terms of cooperation; phase II involved developing the baseline for designing the training strategy to implement the domestic violence law; phase III executed the training sessions, which were attended by 117 prosecutors from across Guatemala.

This report presents the findings and recommendations from two assessment and analysis trips to Guatemala, which were conducted by a team from the USAID Women’s Legal Rights Initiative to begin the process of designing women's rights activities for the Guatemala Mission. The Women’s Legal Rights Initiative team identified a number of emerging areas for cooperation and assistance; these include the development and implementation of a program that concentrates on developing a curriculum on gender and the law, designing a graduate-level diploma program on gender and the law, and supporting advocacy and awareness campaigns.

This manual, written in Spanish, covers litigation strategies with a gender perspective. The purpose of this module to help lawyers and other public defenders in Guatemala identify the key concepts needed to enrich defense strategies in cases of women accused of wrongful acts. Chapter one covers gender and criminal justice and includes a discussion of gender-based violence. Chapter two focuses on defense strategies.

This manual on domestic violence, written in Spanish, was put together by community paralegals in Villa Nueva, Guatemala. It includes sections on definitions of domestic violence generally, women and domestic violence, the problem in Guatemala, steps women should take to address domestic violence, a discussion of legal strategies and resources for women, and a bibliography.

This is the final report of the Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR). The WLR worked to advance the legal, civil, property, and human rights of women in 10 developing countries:  Albania, Benin, Guatemala, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Swaziland.  It was implemented from 2002 to 2007 by Chemonics International in partnership with the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), MetaMetrics, Inc., and Partners of the Americas.