Overview

The Somali justice system faces many varied challenges. Citizens struggle to access justice due to a lack of awareness of their rights, proximity to services, and legal aid. Seeking justice is especially challenging for marginalized segments of society, including women, youth, internally displaced persons, members of minority clans or kin groups, and persons with disabilities. They are often less informed about their rights, face discriminatory practices, and have fewer financial resources.

Activity Areas

The Expanding Access to Justice (EAJ) program will strive to increase awareness and general knowledge of legal rights, human rights, and options for recourse, especially for Somali women, youth, and marginalized groups. It will respond to citizens’ needs by supporting civil society and government justice actors in sustainably improving the quality and scope of legal services. The focus is on developing services that assist citizens in achieving rights-based outcomes through both the formal and informal justice system. Working with government and civil society justice sector actors, EAJ’s ultimate goal is to increase the quality, reach, availability, and accessibility of legal aid services of legal aid service delivery in Somalia and Somaliland.