Position: Consultant – GBV Case Litigation (Open to organizations, law clinics, or firms)

Organization: SIHA Network

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Timeline of Consultancy: March – September 2024

Application Deadline: March 07th 2024 EAT

Organizational Background:

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) seeks to engage an organization/firm in a seven-month SGBV case strategic litigation in the context of in the increase of SGBV and femicides.

SIHA is a civil society coalition bringing together grassroots women’s rights organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda. It was established in 1995 by a collection of women’s rights activists, to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations in the Horn of Africa. SIHA aims to contribute to unlocking the massive potential of women’s rights movements in the Horn of Africa, by improving the capacity of local organizations, and building a strong network of grassroots civil society members that can interact and support one another in advocating for effective change. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org

Background of Consultancy:

SIHA works to achieve systemic change by supporting victims of human rights violations and women human rights defenders. As a core safeguarding strategy, SIHA has been litigating landmark cases and raising public awareness of injustices.

In Somalia, strategic legislation as a tool for social change is far behind on many accounts. Lawyers are not familiar with the concept and do not move beyond working on ligating individual cases. Often, lawyers are not cognizant of broader socio-economic and political contexts and contemporary discourse on social justice. This existing gap makes strategic litigation in Somalia and confronting constitutional and legislative hurdles critical, particularly in the context where Gender-based violence (GBV) is increasing during armed conflicts, economic crises, and humanitarian emergencies.

SIHA will work with a local firm or organization to bring to the fore the plight of women affected by SGBV and the increasing of femicide and make sure they have access to justice.

Project Purpose and Objectives:

The overall purpose and objective of this assignment is to support litigation processes following the recent increase in femicides, using the Luul Abdi Aziz incident, in particular, as a means to seek justice for victims of SGBV.

Specific purpose and objectives:

• To use the law as a positive instrument for social transformation and deepen the knowledge of practicing women lawyers on the concept of strategic litigation to support vulnerable, marginalized women and girls whose constitutional rights have been infringed upon.
• To highlight cases that will bring some of the under-addressed SGBV cases in Somalia to the attention of national courts and regional and international justice mechanisms.
• To put pressure on the national justice system to take SGBV more seriously by showcasing the available cases that can be considered for strategic litigation.
• The cases will serve as important elements of advocacy, drawing public attention to the particular ways in which women are victimized in mass atrocity situations and pressure both justice and the broader set of policy interventions that can deter future occurrences of such crimes.

Expected Outcomes:

It is expected that the Strategic litigation exercise will provide justice to the families of victims while strengthening the justice system and promoting women’s resolve to advocate for accountability for GBV in the context of drafting prevention and protective laws for women and girls, such as the Sexual Offences Bill.

Methodology and scope of work:

SIHA will work closely with the selected applicant to identify and support the Strategic Litigation cases, including the recent case of Luul Abdi Aziz) for strategic litigation.

Expected Deliverables:

• A clear plan detailing the cases and the legal frameworks (both national and international) that have been selected to be used to support the Strategic Litigation. A comprehensive report on what evidence and how the evidence will be collected for the cases identified and litigated.
• Hold Consultation meetings with SIHA and relevant Legal Human Rights Organizations/Law Clinics to jointly analyze the case prior to filing.
• Case pleadings and evidence of Court filing.

Qualification/Experience Required:

• Certified Organization with demonstrated experience working with Femicide and Litigation with active bar representation among staff.
• At least 5 years of experience litigating cases in Somalia Courts and ability to work with diverse groups of women activists in sexual violence and other forms of violence
• Extensive knowledge of Civil Society dynamics particularly in the Somalia context.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to develop a sequence of activities and exercises around advocacy, women empowerment, and solidarity.
• A proven commitment to women’s rights activism and demonstrable experience in social justice and broader human rights principles
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in IDP camps, minority communities and people with disabilities.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to the cultural and religious context in Somalia
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including knowledge of local dialect and English language.