FIDA Uganda
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Founded Date January 1, 1900
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Sectors Legal Services
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Posted Jobs 0
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Viewed 11
Company Description
FIDA Uganda (The Association of Women Lawyers Uganda) is a premier non-profit organization established in 1974 to promote and protect the rights of women and children. It serves as a specialized legal aid provider and a leading advocate for gender equality in the country. With its headquarters in Kampala and several regional offices in towns like Gulu, Mbale, and Mbarara, FIDA provides a vital lifeline for women navigating a legal system that can often be inaccessible due to financial or social barriers.
The organization is best known for its comprehensive legal aid services, which include legal representation in courts, mediation, and pro-bono counseling. FIDA focuses heavily on cases involving family law, such as domestic violence, land inheritance, child maintenance, and property rights. By utilizing a “barefoot lawyer” model—where community volunteers are trained to provide basic legal guidance—the organization extends its reach into rural areas, empowering women to understand their rights and seek justice at the grassroots level.
Beyond individual legal support, FIDA Uganda is a powerful force in policy advocacy and legislative reform. The association has played a critical role in influencing national laws, such as the Domestic Violence Act and the Succession Act, to ensure they provide better protection for women and girls. Through strategic litigation and public awareness campaigns, FIDA continues to challenge discriminatory cultural practices and systemic injustices, working toward a society where the rule of law is applied equitably to all genders.
- Legal Aid and Mediation: Offering free courtroom representation and alternative dispute resolution for women facing civil and criminal legal challenges.
- Human Rights Advocacy: Lobbying Parliament and the government to enact and enforce laws that promote gender equality and protect vulnerable persons.
- Economic Empowerment: Integrating legal literacy with financial awareness to help women secure their property rights and achieve economic independence.
- Capacity Building: Training judicial officers, police, and traditional leaders on gender-sensitive approaches to justice and human rights.
- Strategic Litigation: Taking on high-impact court cases that have the potential to set legal precedents and change discriminatory national policies.