On March 19, 2016, and in conjunction with the International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law, IANGEL and AIDS Free world, KARAMAH co-sponsored the panel discussion “Pro Bono Legal Services for Women’s Empowerment.”
KARAMAH executive director Ms. Aisha Rahman joined IANGEL Board Member Ms. Mary Wolverton, and AIDS Free World Legal Advisor Mr. Seth Earn.
Six years ago, economic conditions and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet the needs of poor and vulnerable populations motivated the ABA to commemorate the vital contributions of pro bono lawyers. Today this need is even greater and unequivocally global, as legal and business systems around the world are increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Pro bono legal services are critically needed to protect and advance human rights within and beyond U.S. borders, specifically for women.
During the event, Ms. Rahman highlighted two important aspects of pro bono legal work: one is the pro bono assistance that KARAMAH receives and second, the pro bono assistance that KARAMAH provides. Ms. Rahman emphasized that law firms and other agencies should commit more than personnel to work pro bono on a particular case. For example, as a non-profit organization that is committed to legal work, KARAMAH needs advice time to time on legal matter such as employment contracts. KARAMAH has been lucky to have support from law firms that help to address some of these concerns. KARAMAH, though, also is a provider of pro bono legal assistance particularly in family law matters. Because KARAMAH cannot take every case, having attorneys on call that are willing to assist with cases pro bono is very helpful.
KARAMAH and other panelists also took the opportunity to discuss policy issues such as the barriers people face in seeking justice. Pro bono lawyering is only one type of assistance, and even that is not always an option to every person. KARAMAH is working to address these access to justice issues through our civil rights work.
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