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Access to legal aid for women in Malawi

Malawi’s gender legal and policy framework promotes gender equality and safeguards the welfare and participation of women in social, political and economic development process. It is enshrined in sections 20, 24 and 40 of the constitution. Moreover, the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act); Anatomy Act; Prevention of Domestic Violence Act; Deceased Estates Act; Child Care, Protection and Justice Act; and Gender Equality Act deal with specific aspects of gender equality and women empowerment.

The National Gender Policy provides an overarching policy framework while the National Plan of Action to Combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Malawi (2014-2020) provides a programmatic intervention to combat GBV. Details of the main organizations providing legal aid services to women in Malawi are provided below.

angle-left Legal Aid Bureau

Legal Aid Bureau

Legal Aid Bureau ensures that poor people have access to justice and legal remedies as provided for under section 41 of the Constitution. Priority for legal aid is given to vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and the sick.

Services

  1. Legal aid in criminal cases: Legal aid in criminal matters is provided to persons who are charged with or under investigation for various criminal offences under the law. The services include legal advice, bail applications and representation on court.
  2. Legal aid in civil cases: Legal aid in civil matters is granted to all persons involved in civil proceedings either as a litigant or interested party.
  3. Legal advice and assistance: Legal Aid Bureau also provides general legal advice and assistance in all legal matters. This may include advice on how the law applies in particular circumstances, legal assistance in preventing and settling disputes and advice in court.
  4. Public legal education: The Legal Aid Bureau provides public legal education to members of the general public on various legal issues and legal procedures. Particular focus is also placed on educating the public on the existence and functions of Legal Aid Bureau.

How to access legal aid services and fees

  • Once at the Legal Aid Bureau office, the client or her or his relatives are directed to meet a legal officer to give their statement.
  • If the client did not come in person due to her or his incarceration a personal interview is arranged at the place of detention to seek further information.
  • The client must then complete a legal aid application form applying for legal aid.
  • The client must give details of his financial position on the legal aid application form.
  • The statement, legal aid form and supporting documents are then submitted to the authorizing officer for approval.
  • Decision on whether legal aid is granted or not is made.
  • The decision of the amount of the financial contribution to be made by the client is also made by the authorizing officer.
  • The matter is assigned to a handling officer.

Contact information / Office locations

Legal Aid Bureau is in all major cities in Malawi at the following addresses. The head office is in Lilongwe.

  1. 1st Floor Shire Building
    Off Paul Kagame Highway
    P.O. Box 675, Lilongwe
    Tel: + (265) 01 753 945;
    Fax: + (265) 01 757 616
    Email: info@legalaidbureau.org
  2. Government Office Building
    Lower Victoria Avenue
    P.O. Box 569, Blantyre
    Tel: + (265) 01 822 082
    Fax: + (265) 01 827 125
    Email: info@legalaidbureau.org
  3. 1st Floor Osman Gani Building
    P.O. Box 282, Mzuzu|
    Tel: + (265) 01 311 086
    Fax: + (265) 01 312 505
    Email: info@legalaidbureau.org
  4. Old Parliament Building
    P.O. Box 362, Zomba
    Tel: + (265) 01 528 856
    Fax: + (265) 01 528 860
    Email: info@legalaidbureau.org

Website: www.legalaidbureau.org

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