What does ASWL mean in ASSOCIATIONS

The main objectives of ASWL include advocating for legal reforms that protect the rights of Somali women; providing legal advice and representation to facilitate access to justice for vulnerable members of society; raising awareness and understanding among policy makers and practitioners about issues related to gender, human rights, justice and rule of law; strengthening the capacity of grassroots organizations operating in Somalia; creating a platform for networking between organizations working on women's issues throughout Somalia; creating a forum to monitor progress related to respect for women's human rights; and facilitating social dialogue on reforms concerning gender-based violence prevention.

Membership in ASWL is open to any individual lawyer from Somalia who works with or has experience working with women's human rights issues. In addition, individuals from other professions such as social workers, psychiatrists and health care professionals who work with women are also welcome to join.

ASWL undertakes a wide variety of activities including providing legal advice and representation for cases related to gender-based violence; facilitating public outreach campaigns on topics such as female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C); conducting workshops on domestic violence laws, land and property rights under Sharia law; organizing training sessions on international conventions relevant to Somali women's rights and sensitizing law enforcement officers on their legal obligations regarding protection against violence directed at women; advocating against laws imposing discrimination against women in education, employment or politics etc.; creating networks among female lawyers across Somalia; hosting seminars/workshops/conferences discussing socio-cultural practices impeding women's development etc.

So far, some major achievements include development of a legal network composed mainly from members representing many regions within Somalia where regional meetings have been organized since 2007 offering training courses for lawyers representing FGM victims; increased access through its offices located in Mogadishu―Somalia's capital city―for advice before filing cases in court setting up rules about how cases should be conducted legally assisting over 200 victims suffering from Gender Based Violence (GBV); setting up case referral systems amongst organizations helping GBV Victims fighting against all forms discrimination in its various forms ranging from religion based discrimination down through civil status based discrimination.