Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa

19/06/2026

L’ISLA devant les tribunaux

Le 19 juin 2026, l’ISLA et Kituo Cha Sheria ont été admises en tant qu’Amici Curiae conjoints par la Haute Cour du Kenya à Maralal dans l’affaire Requête E001 de 2025 – Elizabeth Nakulesha et 2 autres contre le gouvernement du comté de Samburu et autres. En tant qu’Amici Curiae conjoints, l’ISLA et Kituo Cha Sheria s’efforceront de démontrer la nature sexospécifique des préjudices causés par les mauvais traitements infligés aux femmes pendant la grossesse, l’accouchement et les soins post-partum, ainsi que leurs répercussions profondes sur la vie et la santé des femmes.

19/06/2026

ISLA in court.

On 19 June 2026, ISLA and Kituo Cha Sheria were admitted as joint Amici Curiae by the High Court of Kenya in Maralal in Petition E001 of 2025 – Elizabeth Nakulesha & 2 Others v The County Government of Samburu & Others. As joint Amici Curiae, ISLA and Kituo Cha Sheria shall seek to demonstrate the gendered nature of harm that is caused by mistreatment of women during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum care and the consequent far-reaching effects on the life and health of women.

18/06/2026

We closed out our Case Sourcing Visit today with rich conversations on Violence Against Women , Women's Socio-Economic Rights and Countering Anti-Rights Actors — with partners bringing real cases to the table that hold genuine potential for feminist strategic litigation.

Three days of honest, rigorous engagement with some of Zambia's sharpest legal minds and most committed advocates. We leave Lusaka with a clearer picture of the landscape, a stronger network, and a pipeline of cases worth fighting for.

To all our partners who gave their time, expertise, and trust — thank you. This is how change is built. 🙏🏾

Chapter One Foundation Women and Law in Southern Africa - WLSA Zambia Centre For Environmental Justice Center for Reproductive Rights

17/06/2026

Day 2 in Lusaka. 🇿🇲

Today's conversations went deep. We spent the day with our partners mapping Zambia's socio-legal landscape , exploring the gaps in law and policy that leave women exposed, and identifying cases across our LSC thematic areas that are ripe for strategic litigation.

The room brought sharp, grounded insight into what women in Zambia are actually facing and what the law is failing to do about it. Exactly the kind of engagement that makes feminist strategic litigation possible.

Women and Law in Southern Africa - WLSA Zambia Chapter One Foundation Centre For Environmental Justice Center for Reproductive Rights

17/06/2026

ISLA devant les tribunaux : litige concernant les peines minimales et obligatoires pour les infractions sexuelles au Kenya et l’obligation de corroboration des infractions sexuelles en vertu de la loi sur la preuve
L'ISLA et KELIN interviennent en tant qu'amicus curiae conjoints dans une requête constitutionnelle déposée auprès de la Division constitutionnelle et des droits de l'homme de la Haute Cour du Kenya. Les requérants contestent plusieurs articles de la loi sur les infractions sexuelles et demandent que ces dispositions soient déclarées inconstitutionnelles en raison des peines minimales et obligatoires qu'elles prévoient. La requête fait valoir que de telles peines privent les tribunaux de leur pouvoir discrétionnaire et ne permettent pas aux personnes accusées de présenter des circonstances atténuantes, violant ainsi leur droit à un procès équitable. En outre, les requérants demandent que la disposition de l'article 124 de la loi sur la preuve, qui exempte les infractions sexuelles de l'obligation de corroboration, soit déclarée inconstitutionnelle. Les requérants font valoir que cette exemption abaisse le seuil légal de la charge de la preuve dans les infractions sexuelles, contrairement à ce qui est le cas pour les autres infractions pénales. Enfin, les requérants demandent que les dispositions de la loi sur la procédure pénale qui exemptent les infractions sexuelles de l’obligation de conclure des accords de plaidoyer soient déclarées inconstitutionnelles. Les requérants allèguent que ces dispositions sont discriminatoires car elles ne s’appliquent qu’aux infractions sexuelles et à aucune autre infraction pénale.
L'intervention de l'ISLA dans cette affaire vise à attirer l'attention de la Cour sur le fait que la violence à l'égard des femmes constitue une forme de discrimination, à mettre en évidence les stéréotypes de genre omniprésents qui conduisent à des disparités marquées dans les peines prononcées, à souligner la spécificité des infractions sexuelles qui justifie l'exception à la règle de corroboration dans ce domaine, et enfin à mettre en avant l'obligation de diligence raisonnable qui incombe à l'État de punir les auteurs de violences sexuelles. L'ISLA portera également à l'attention de la Cour l'historique, le contexte et les abus que les articles de la loi contestés visaient à corriger.
L'affaire a été portée devant la Cour le11juin 2026 afin qu'elle se prononce sur la question de savoir si elle soulève des questions de droit importantes et doit donc être examinée par un collège de juges en nombre impair , comprenant au moins trois juges, conformément à l'article 165(4) de la Constitution du Kenya. Les parties ont fait valoir que l'affaire soulevait non seulement des questions de droit importantes, mais aussi des enjeux d'intérêt public significatif compte tenu de la prévalence de la violence à l'égard des femmes dans le pays, de la multiplicité des décisions rendues sur ces questions par divers tribunaux et, surtout, de l'opinion incidente de la Cour suprême du Kenya dans l'affaire République c. Joseph Gichuki Mwangi. La Cour a fait droit à la requête des requérants et a renvoyé l'affaire au président de la Cour suprême pour la constitution d'un collège de juges.
Continuez à suivre notre page pour rester informé de l'évolution de cette affaire.

17/06/2026

ISLA and KELIN are intervening as joint amicus in a constitutional petition filed at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court in Kenya. The Petitioners in the suit are challenging various sections of the Sexual Offences Act and seek orders declaring the said provisions unconstitutional for having mandatory and minimum sentences. The Petition argues that such sentences deprive the Courts of their discretion and fail to provide an opportunity for accused persons to argue their case in mitigation therefore violating their right to a fair trial. Further, the Petitioners seek that the proviso of Section 124 the Evidence Act that exempts sexual offences from the requirement for corroboration be found unconstitutional. The Petitioners argue that this exemption lowers the legal threshold for burden of proof in sexual offences unlike in other criminal offences. Finally, the Petitioners seek the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act that exempt sexual offences from being subject to plea agreements be declared unconstitutional. The Petitioners allege that these provisions are discriminatory as they only apply to sexual offences and not any other criminal offences.
ISLA’s intervention in this case is to bring to the Court’s attention that violence against women is discrimination, highlight the gender stereotypes that are permeative and lead to distinct disparities in judicial sentencing, the peculiarity of sexual offences that justify the exception on the rule on corroboration in sexual offenses and finally we shall highlight the due diligence obligation of the State to punish offenders of sexual violence. ISLA will also bring to the Court’s notice the historic record, context and the mischief that the sections of the law being challenged were intended to cure.
The matter was in Court on 11th June, 2026 for a Ruling on whether the matter raises substantial questions of law and should thus be heard by a panel of an uneven number of judges, not being less than three as provided by Article 165(4) of the Constitution of Kenya. Parties argued that the matter not only raised substantial questions of law, but issues of significant public interest given the prevalence of violence against women in the country, the multiplicity of decisions on the issues from various courts and significantly the Supreme Court of Kenya’s obiter in the Republic v Joseph Gichuki Mwangi decision. The Court allowed the Petitioners’ Application and has forwarded the matter to the Chief Justice for the empanelment of a bench.
Continue to follow our page for updates on the matter.

16/06/2026

ISLA's Litigation for Social Change team is on the ground in Lusaka, Zambia this week for a Case Sourcing visit on Feminist Strategic Litigation.

We're meeting with lawyers, civil society organisations, and partners to interrogate Zambia's legal landscape, identify gaps amenable to strategic litigation, and build the relationships that make justice possible.

From women's socio-economic rights to violence against women, we're building the pipeline for cases that will hold states accountable and advance women's rights across the region.

Chapter One Foundation Center for Reproductive Rights Women and Law in Southern Africa - WLSA Zambia National Legal Aid Clinic for Women Centre for Environment Justice

15/06/2026

The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) is recruiting a Legal Associate to support our Feminist Litigation Network (FLN) across Anglophone and Francophone West Africa.

We are looking for a bilingual (English/French) lawyer with experience or interest in human rights, women's rights, sexual rights, strategic litigation, and feminist advocacy.
The successful candidate will:
✅ Support capacity strengthening initiatives for lawyers and partners
✅ Contribute to legal research and knowledge production
✅ Help coordinate partnerships across Africa
✅ Work with a dynamic Pan-African feminist team

📅 Closing date: 18 June 2026
📍 12-month fixed-term contract
💰 Total remuneration package: USD 35,000 per annum

Apply now:
https://www.the-isla.org/application-form-feminist-litigation-network-fln-legal-associate/

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. We invite bilingual applicants (English/French) committed to advancing human rights, women's rights, sexual rights, strategic litigation, and feminist advocacy to apply.

11/06/2026

Who Gets to Be Called a Human Rights Defender?

The answer matters. How defenders are defined determines who is protected, whose voices are recognised, and whose work can be legitimised or restricted. These questions are at the heart of a joint civil society submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on its Draft Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Africa.

On 20 May 2026, more than 20 African and international organisations submitted a joint statement to the ACHPR. While we welcome the initiative, we raised several concerns and recommendations aimed at strengthening the Declaration and ensuring it remains true to its protective purpose.

Our submission calls for:
🔹 Recognition of defenders based on their work, not conformity with state interests or vague “African values.”
🔹 A clear distinction between states as duty‑bearers and defenders as rights‑holders.
🔹 Strong protections against reprisals, harassment, and violence.
🔹 Explicit safeguards for women defenders and others at heightened risk.
🔹 A Declaration that responds to shrinking civic space by centring accountability and protection.

Human rights defenders are essential to advancing accountability, justice and dignity across Africa. The Declaration must strengthen their protection, not weaken it.

Kindly find the full submission here: https://www.the-isla.org/hrd-declaration/ and available for download here: https://www.the-isla.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ACHPR-Draft-Declaration-Submission_10-06-2026_FINAL.pdf.



SIHA Network African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders WAVE Gambia Equality Now Africa Lawyers For Human Rights CHEVS Pan Africa ILGA Centre for Human Rights Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network Pan African Lawyers Union - PALU

10/06/2026

We have exciting news to share.

ISLA has been admitted as amicus curiae in a historic advisory opinion before the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. For the first time, the Court has been asked to define what African States must do as a matter of human rights law , to protect people from the climate crisis.

The questions before the Court are far-reaching: the rights of future and present generations, obligations to vulnerable communities, reparations for loss and damage, accountability of multinational corporations, and the duty to facilitate a just transition. This advisory opinion will not be legally binding, but it will shape how courts, governments, and institutions across Africa approach climate accountability for years to come.

ISLA is intervening to make sure one critical dimension is not left out: the gendered impact of the climate crisis.

Climate change hits women and girls hardest. They are more likely to live in poverty, to depend on rain-fed agriculture and natural water sources for survival, and to lack the decision-making power to protect themselves and their families. When climate disasters strike, women and girls face heightened risks — to their safety, their livelihoods, and their health. Environmental women human rights defenders face threats and violence for speaking up.

Our amicus brief will put this on record. We will document through an intersectional lens how women and girls across Africa experience climate harm differently and more severely. And we will set out the clear legal obligations that African States have, under the African Charter, the Maputo Protocol, and CEDAW, to respond with gender-responsive climate policies.

This case is part of ISLA's broader work through the Feminist Litigation Network — building a generation of African feminist litigators who use the law as a tool for real change.

Climate justice must be gender justice. We are proud to play our part.

🔗 Read the full press statement: https://www.the-isla.org/press-release-advisory-opinion-on-climate-change-and-human-rights/

For Immediate release