As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, the conversation around women’s rights must extend beyond celebration to addressing systemic challenges that hinder true equality. One of the most pressing issues is access to justice, a fundamental right that remains elusive for many women in Uganda and across the world. Despite legal reforms aimed at protecting women, economic barriers often prevent them from fully exercising these rights. This article explores the intersection of legal reforms and economic empowerment, highlighting why justice remains inaccessible for many women and what can be done to change this reality.
Uganda has made significant strides in enacting laws that protect and promote women’s rights. Key legal milestones include the Domestic Violence Act (2010), which provides a legal framework for handling cases of domestic abuse, the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (2009), aimed at combating human trafficking, the Employment Act (2006), which addresses workplace discrimination and sexual harassment, and the Land Act (1998, amended in 2004), which grants women rights to own and inherit land, challenging customary practices that often deny them property ownership. While these laws are progressive on paper, enforcement remains weak due to institutional inefficiencies, corruption, and deeply ingrained cultural norms. Many women lack awareness of their legal rights and, even when they do, the fear of retaliation, stigma, or financial ruin if they pursue justice holds them back.
Accessing justice is costly. The financial burden associated with legal processes—ranging from hiring a lawyer, paying court fees, and covering transportation costs—often deters women from pursuing legal redress. For many Ugandan women, seeking justice is a luxury they simply cannot afford. Over 41% of Ugandans live in poverty, with women being disproportionately affected due to gender pay gaps, lack of land ownership, and unpaid labor. Many women rely on male breadwinners, making them hesitant to take legal action against abusive spouses or employers for fear of economic instability.
Court filing fees, attorney fees, and other administrative costs make legal action financially burdensome. The Legal Aid Bill, which seeks to provide free legal assistance to indigent individuals, is still pending approval. Currently, only 20% of women who need legal aid can access it. NGOs and community-based organizations provide some assistance, but their resources are insufficient to meet national demand. Only 15% of women in Uganda own land independently, despite constitutional provisions supporting gender equality in property ownership. Women who lose their husbands often face property grabbing by in-laws, leaving them destitute and unable to pursue legal claims.
Consider the case of Sarah N., a 32-year-old mother of three from rural Uganda. After enduring years of domestic violence, she decided to seek justice. However, with no financial independence and no access to free legal services, she found herself trapped. Her case was dismissed because she couldn’t afford the transportation fees to attend multiple hearings. Sarah’s story is a hypothetical representation based on the lived experiences of many Ugandan women who are denied justice simply because they are poor. Real-life examples from organizations like the Uganda Law Society and UN Women show similar patterns, where women face insurmountable barriers when attempting to access the legal system. In 2022, a report by the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda) revealed that nearly 70% of women who reported gender-based violence did not receive legal redress due to financial constraints and systemic inefficiencies.
Uganda’s situation is not unique. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have made strides in improving women’s access to justice through mobile courts and increased funding for legal aid services. Rwanda’s Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centers offer a holistic approach, providing legal, medical, and psychological support to survivors. Uganda can learn from such initiatives by strengthening community-based justice programs.
Beyond economic barriers, cultural norms also deter women from seeking justice. Many women fear being ostracized by their families or communities if they take legal action, particularly in cases of domestic violence or land disputes. In rural areas, traditional dispute resolution mechanisms often favor men, leaving women without fair outcomes. Religious and traditional leaders have the potential to either reinforce these barriers or advocate for change. Some faith-based organizations have played a crucial role in educating communities about women’s rights and the importance of legal redress. Engaging such leaders in legal awareness campaigns could help shift societal attitudes.
To ensure that legal reforms translate into real access to justice for women, Uganda must address the economic barriers that hinder women’s legal empowerment. The Ugandan government should fast-track the Legal Aid Bill, ensuring that vulnerable women receive free or subsidized legal representation. Expanding funding for public defenders and legal aid clinics, especially in rural areas, is critical. Implementing programs that provide women with financial literacy, business training, and microfinance opportunities will help reduce dependence on male breadwinners. Strengthening enforcement of laws that secure women’s property rights and prevent land-grabbing is essential. Government and civil society organizations should launch nationwide legal awareness campaigns to educate women on their rights. Establishing community paralegal programs to offer legal assistance at the grassroots level and encouraging the formation of women’s support networks that provide legal, financial, and emotional assistance can create sustainable change.
As Uganda and the world celebrate International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognize that women’s rights are meaningless without access to justice. Legal reforms are a step in the right direction, but unless economic barriers are addressed, justice will remain a privilege for the few rather than a right for all. Uganda must commit to creating a justice system that is affordable, accessible, and gender-sensitive, ensuring that every woman, regardless of her economic status, can seek and obtain justice. Only then will true gender equality be realized. It is time for Uganda to not just legislate but to implement and enforce laws that ensure women’s access to justice. Until then, Women’s Day will remain a symbolic gesture rather than a celebration of real progress.
Written by: Lynn Edinance Olepus, the advocacy officer at FemJustice
