@FIDAKenya w/Allie - Diverse Legal Experiences from Courts to Communities

Allie Thompson is completing her internship in Nairobi, Kenya with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). 

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FIDA is a non-profit organization committed to the creation of a society that is free from all forms of discrimination against women. The organization provides legal services to indigent women, provides educational clinics and creates awareness of legal rights. FIDA also trains women on how to represent themselves in court, undertakes public interest litigation, researches and reports on women’s rights violations, and advocates for law and policy reform.

I have had the opportunity to take part in some very interesting projects over the past weeks.

For example, I contributed to a draft request for an advisory opinion from the African Court of Human and People’s Rights, and helped draft the pleadings for a strategic litigation case.

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I have completed various research projects, and have participated in several stakeholders workshops. At these workshops, I have contributed to round table discussions by giving recommendations on topics including youth mentorship, transitional justice, human trafficking, and the implementation of Kenya’s National Action Plan.

I also attended one of FIDA’s legal education workshops in Kibera, which is the largest urban slum in Africa.

My experiences at FIDA have been incredibly diverse and rewarding, and I feel really lucky to be working at such an incredible organization this summer.