Challenging lack of bodily autonomy, discrimination, unequal access and legal barriers to enjoyment of rights. Support and empower communities to assert their rights and obtain redress for rights violations.
Learn More:
Ongoing Cases
Malawi: Protecting the rights of refugees
On 29 May 2023, a judicial review application was filed on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi, challenging the detention of refugees and asylum seekers including children. The…
Malawi: Case concerning malnutrition in prisons
Background The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi states in Section 42(1)(b) that “every person who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, shall have the right to be detained under…
Completed Cases
Botswana: Chobe Land Board v Rebeccah Banika
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is working with the Botswana Khwedom Council to support Kgosi Rebeccah Banika, a female Chief, who challenged the decision of the Chobe Land Board to…
Malawi: Man arrested and convicted for attempting to commit suicide
Background Suicide continues to be a global health concern, affecting all continents. During the lockdown period to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic between April and September 2020, Malawi…
Malawi: Ending impunity of police officers for rape
Background Section 153 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and Section 4 of the Malawi Police Services Act provide that the Malawi Police Services’ mandate is to provide…
Botswana: Accountability for violation of rights of woman seeking reproductive healthcare in state institutions
SALC supported a case in which the Plaintiff, who had undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy and developed complications, and she was later diagnosed as having a vaginal fistula. She failed…
Articles
Xenophobia and the Africa we want
The Nation (19 June 2026) Recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa have once again forced Africa to confront a painful question about who we are and how we treat one…
African leaders trade African Family values for American family values – Here we go again!
Modern Ghana (22 June 2026) At the moment, some religious and political leaders in Africa are pushing for a charter on family values, lobbying lawmakers, African State institutions, and the…
Resources
Policy brief: Legal environment affecting key populations in Africa
This policy brief on Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda outlines the legal gains in sexual and reproductive rights for key populations in these countries over the…
Petty policing practices
African Disability Rights Yearbook Volume 12 Petty policing practices: Enforcement of minor offences against persons with psychosocial disabilities in three East African countries By Anneke Meerkotter Anneke Meerkotter contributed an…
