The WLC has a vision of women in South Africa living free from violence in safe housing, free to own their own share of property, empowered to ensure their own reproductive health rights and able to work in a safe and equal environment.
In order to fulfill its objectives, the WLC will, free of charge: Litigate cases which advance women's rights and are in the public interest, particularly constitutional cases; and produce briefs to assist courts in constitutional cases which concern women's rights and gender equality. In addition, where resources permit, the WLC aims to provide women's organisations with technical legal assistance in making submissions to parliament and other institutions. Our plans include strategies to provide training and capacity building programs for para-legals and women lawyers who wish to conduct constitutional litigation in regard to gender issues. We believe that there is a need to collaborate with women's organisations in all our activities.
Any litigation conducted by the WLC should advance substantive equality for women. Substantive equality is advanced through litigation that seeks to improve the lives of women who have been disadvantaged by social and economic conditions. All litigation will be based on outcomes.
The potential outcomes which could result from litigation include:
- Discriminatory legislation is overturned
- New jurisprudence is created
- Existing jurisprudence is extended
- The Court makes positive orders for enforcement of women's human rights
- The Court orders the enactment of legislation advancing women's human rights
Litigation must have a wide impact. A substantial group of women must benefit from the outcome of a particular case. The WLC will endeavour to work with women's organisations in all its cases. All cases should have a good factual basis. Litigation will be conducted on behalf of women or organisations who lack the financial means to pay for legal costs. Other strategies will be explored to save costs, prior to litigation. Referrals to other law centres or clinics, legal aid or attorneys in private practice will be considered. As far as possible, the cost implications of potential litigation will be assessed in advance. Cases which are not directly related to our focus areas can only be taken on by WLC if, after heightened scrutiny, the Trustees agree to such litigation.
