10/12/2024
Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Teresa Yates as its new Executive Director, effective 1 December 2024.
Teresa joins LvA with more than two decades of diverse and impactful experience in the fields of human rights, law and social justice across Africa. Before joining LvA, Teresa held leadership positions at prominent organizations, including ProBono.Org as National Director, the Legal Resources Centre as Deputy National Director and Oxfam Tanzania as Gender Justice Coordinator. Throughout her career, Teresa has made significant contributions in the areas of access to justice, gender justice, women’s land rights, disability programming and alternative dispute resolution. Teresa holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she was a Fellow at the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights.
Welcoming the appointment, LvA Board Chairperson, Myhurie Parbhoo, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ms. Teresa Yates as the Executive Director of LvA. Teresa’s extensive experience in legal practice and her profound commitment to human rights and social justice make her an invaluable addition to our team. Her deep understanding of the critical issues we face, combined with her unwavering dedication, will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts. As we embark on this new chapter, we look forward to Teresa’s contributions and leadership in advancing our mission to support victims of gender-based violence in South Africa."
In response to her appointment, Teresa said: "I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Executive Director at Lawyers against Abuse. LvA’s vital work in supporting victims and survivors of gender-based violence on the frontlines and advocating for systemic change at the community level is something I am deeply passionate about. I look forward to building on the organisation’s strong foundation, working alongside a dedicated team to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve."
Teresa succeeds the former Executive Director, Lindsay Henson, and looks forward to working with the LvA team and Board as they tackle the critical challenges of GBV in South Africa.
