Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Guidelines for Expanding Access to Justice in Somalia Program

The program is a five-year associate award (2018-2023), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via the Freedom House-led Human Rights Support Mechanism (HRSM) and implemented in partnership between Pact and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA). The program's primary goal is to enhance the capacity of Somali institutions to provide access to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups, including women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and minority groups. Discrimination and marginalization are prevalent in Somalia, with women and girls facing significant barriers to accessing justice. The program recognizes the importance of addressing these imbalances and promoting gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). To achieve this, the program employs a range of strategies, including the use of vulnerability assessment tools to identify and address the needs of marginalized groups. The program's approach to expanding access to justice is centered on several key interventions. These include the development of a GESI framework, which provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of marginalized groups. The framework is based on a do-no-harm and conflict sensitivity approach to case management, which seeks to minimize the risk of harm to beneficiaries and maximize the effectiveness of the program. The program also places a strong emphasis on improving public access to legal information through outreach and research. This includes the development of awareness-raising materials and the provision of training to community-based paralegals (CBPs) and other stakeholders. The program's goal is to increase the capacity of Somali institutions to provide access to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups. In addition to these interventions, the program also seeks to enhance the quality and reach of legal aid services. This includes the provision of training to legal aid organizations (LAOs) and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effective delivery of legal aid services. The program also aims to increase the capacity and sustainability of LAOs, including through the provision of technical assistance and capacity development support. The program's geographic focus is on Somalia and Somaliland, with a particular emphasis on the regions of Lower Juba and Puntland. The program's timeframes are from 2018 to 2023, with a midterm evaluation scheduled for 2022. The program's recommendations are based on the findings of the midterm evaluation and are intended to inform the program's future direction and implementation. Overall, the Expanding Access to Justice Program in Somalia is a critical initiative aimed at improving access to justice and promoting GESI in Somalia and Somaliland. The program's interventions are designed to address the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups, including women, IDPs, and minority groups, and to enhance the capacity of Somali institutions to provide access to justice.