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Africa Legal - Changing the narrative for legal services
In The Gambia, the small population might lead one to believe that all is well within the criminal justice system, but there are still countless injustices that need to be addressed, writes Paul Ogemba.
Read More![Africa Legal - Real super heroes defending the defenceless](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/659fcb53b91aa7502e316fb2_William%20Okumu%20-%20Legal%20Officer%20-%20Medium.jpg)
Africa Legal - Real super heroes defending the defenceless
Africa Legal speaks with William Okumu about the criminal justice system in Kenya; he is a justice defender helping hundreds of vulnerable people who cannot otherwise access legal representation, writes Paul Ogemba.
Read More![Voice of America – Kenyan Aid Group Hopes to Bring Justice Closer to the Defenceless](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/620fbd9c49a7a70018810fd3_Isaac%20VOA.png)
Voice of America – Kenyan Aid Group Hopes to Bring Justice Closer to the Defenceless
Just two months ago, Isaac Ndegwa was behind bars serving a 14-year sentence for a robbery and violent crime. Now released, he speaks to Voice of America as a Justice Defenders legal intern.
Read More![Righteous Convictions with Jason Flom – Alexander McLean on providing greater access to justice and the rule of law throughout Africa and beyond](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/620fbf7878cfbd547324e29d_LFG_McLean%20Quote%20Card%202.png)
Righteous Convictions with Jason Flom – Alexander McLean on providing greater access to justice and the rule of law throughout Africa and beyond
Alexander McLean discusses justice across the world with American music executive Jason Flom.
Read More![CNN – One lawyer's mission helping the incarcerated inspires global movement](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/620fbeae6de223984a573560_Anderson%20Cooper%20%26%20Alexander%20McLean.png)
CNN – One lawyer's mission helping the incarcerated inspires global movement
CNN's Anderson Cooper introduces Alexander McLean as a Champion for Change. A programme shining a spotlight on the innovators, changemakers and pioneers who are challenging the status quo to improve the lives of others.
Read More![BBC World Service – Morris Kabeira discusses the death penalty](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/659d38c57eda0a5c71696b84_Morris%20Kaberia%20-%20Legal%20Officer%20-%201500%20x%201247.jpg)
BBC World Service – Morris Kabeira discusses the death penalty
From death row to Justice Defender legal officer. Following the abolishment of the death penalty in Sierra Leone, Morris Kabeira discusses the need for capital punishment to end across Africa.
Read More![Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams talks mental health with Alexander McLean](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/637ca0a6569323cb5e0d2fb6_Dr%20Rowan%20Williams%202.png)
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams talks mental health with Alexander McLean
Justice Defenders Founder and CEO Alexander McLean chats with Rowan Williams during the Never Alone Global Mental Health Summit.
Read More![Our Christmas celebrations 2023](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/6579a15662e9ef3bfbbf25f1_100%2C000%20Gambia.png)
Our Christmas celebrations 2023
We’ve served more than 100,000 clients with quality legal services. You made this possible. We hope you’ll enjoy watching our video, join us in celebrating this milestone and feel proud of the impact you’ve helped make this happen.
Read More![Justice Defenders recognised by Nairobi Legal Awards](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/656ef145b0c5f8cb7dcab127_Nairobi%20Legal%20Awards%20Justice%20Defenders%20awarded%20Civil%20Society%20Organisation%20of%20Year.jpg)
Justice Defenders recognised by Nairobi Legal Awards
The annual event, honoring excellence in legal practice, awarded Justice Defenders the first runner-up position in the Civil Society Organisation of the Year category.
Read More![Building bridges with magistrates and judges across the Commonwealth.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/65328c3ce8a9d89d98744eff_Tim%20Bisong%20gives%20speech%20CMJA.jpg)
Building bridges with magistrates and judges across the Commonwealth.
Country Director of The Gambia Tim Bisong spoke at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association in Cardiff, UK in September.
Read More![How patriarchal justice systems are failing single-parent families.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/64b15b8b0bcd189a21060e57_Paralegals%20walking%20in%20Naivasha%20Women%27s%20Prison.jpg)
How patriarchal justice systems are failing single-parent families.
The law can be harsh and sometimes discriminatory. Around the world, people in defenceless communities cannot access justice and often don't get a fair hearing. Single mothers are particularly at risk.
Read More!["The participants are as passionate about learning as we are about teaching."](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/64cba2fbd435840e20007cdd_KAN_4196%20-%20Medium.jpg)
"The participants are as passionate about learning as we are about teaching."
Having trained some of our paralegals in July, NITA Executive Director Wendy McCormack and Mindy Thomas, Director of Membership at the Tennessee Bar, share their experience of our work.
Read More![The power of performance arts in legal education in Africa](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/633af553351b0d34d9f529fa_IMG_9910%20(1)%20(1).jpg)
The power of performance arts in legal education in Africa
Legal education is often reserved for the elite, but our work in Uganda incorporates varied methods of education to steer legal education into a new, inclusive era.
Read More![A day in the life of a paralegal: Moses Dola in Kenya](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/62c55ac2ed1bf3e954400083_paralegal%20Moses%20Dola%202.jpg)
A day in the life of a paralegal: Moses Dola in Kenya
Life as a paralegal beyond the prison gates is an honour. Moses Dola serves his community and gains a better understanding of the law with every case he works on. Here is a look into a day in his life.
Read More![From death row to presidential palaces. One woman’s incredible fight for justice.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/61ead397330d2fc0321d36a2_With%20Macron.jpg)
From death row to presidential palaces. One woman’s incredible fight for justice.
Having graduated with a law degree while incarcerated, Susan now travels the world campaigning against the death sentence.
Read MorE![Punitive sentencing for petty offences; vestiges of colonial times.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/615d927809607ee5b18a0cad_Thika%20Main%20Prison%20cell%201.jpg)
Punitive sentencing for petty offences; vestiges of colonial times.
In East Africa young people are persistently caught up in drug trafficking, loitering and pickpocketing charges, resulting in long periods in prison. Here Draconian laws still apply, yet to be reviewed for the 21st Century. So laws often criminalise and marginalise the people with least in society.
Read MorE![“My 13-year imprisonment was a setup. They never wanted us to get married.”](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/615da09eb144658421219fd1_Simon%20Okumu%20Justice%20Defenders_Uganda.jpg)
“My 13-year imprisonment was a setup. They never wanted us to get married.”
Despite having the paperwork to prove Emily’s age and his innocence, Simon was convicted of aggravated defilement. No court would hear his appeal, so Simon spent 13 years in prison for a crime he, and Emily, says he didn’t commit.
Read MorE![The law: Enforcing it, breaking it, studying it. One man's journey](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/612600a53c35b278366989f8_Gilbert%20Wanami.jpg)
The law: Enforcing it, breaking it, studying it. One man's journey
When he used to work as a police officer, Gilbert would take people to prison with little thought about fair trials or sentencing. Until he found himself in conflict with the law he once administered.
Read MorE![What's the impact of a university degree, if you still have many years left in prison?](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/637c979fa688d3147115a840_Graduation%20team%20photo%20.jpg)
What's the impact of a university degree, if you still have many years left in prison?
Degrees mean extra responsibilities. Four students and graduates in Kenya and Uganda have been promoted to the highly trusted position of 'trusteeship'.
Read MorE![Reconciliation of self and community](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60b0f8763eab155eb19104a1/60edb0002c10e5338d03ca89_Pepe.jpg)
Reconciliation of self and community
Amateur chef Pepe Ivan Matovu recalls how he found hope, healing and restoration in one of Uganda’s most populous prisons.
Read MorEAdapting to the pandemic: Reconnecting people in prisons with their loved ones.
For people in prison, visits from family used to offer a moment of reassurance. Connection with the outside world. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, visitations are paused. Isolating many from those they love. Until recently. We’ve worked to repurpose our technology and reconnect families in Kenya.
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