Women's Legal Centre

05/06/2026

Please join us in welcoming Althea Pheiffer to the Women's Legal Centre as our new Legal Researcher. 💙

With a passion for feminist legal theory, women's rights, and substantive equality, we're excited to have Althea join our team as we continue advancing women's rights in South Africa.

03/06/2026

What does it mean to use the law to advance women’s rights?
The WLC Feminist Clinic 2026 is a space for bold thinking, critical engagement, and feminist legal practice.
If you are passionate about justice, equality, and transforming the law, this is where your journey deepens.

📍 Cape Town | 04 – 08 September 2026
📩 Apply via [email protected]
🗓 Applications close 30 June

02/06/2026

The WLC recently partnered with Pennsylvania State University to explore reproductive justice and access to sexual and reproductive health rights in SA, helping equip the next generation of advocates for gender justice.
Thanks to the students & organisers for creating a space for meaningful dialogue, learning & collaboration.
Khuliso Managa Penn State

01/06/2026

🚨 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝗮𝗶𝗹🚨

Under an absurd apartheid-era law, that keeps rapists anonymous and silences r**e victims, women who publicly name their rapists can be prosecuted before a case has even gone to trial. We had to read that twice. We take a look at the new campaign called ‘NXME HIM’, whose sole objective is to get the Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi’s (), attention and force this long-ignored law into the spotlight.

Name someone accused of r**e in South Africa, and you could face up to three years in jail You can publicly name an accused murderer in South Africa. You can name a thief. You can name someone accused of assault.

01/06/2026

LEGAL ADVICE
Being able to make a decision to place a child up for adoption is a reproductive right and should be an option accessible to all women who wish to exercise their right to choice and the right to choose not to be a parent.
Over the next few weeks, we will unpack adoption in South Africa, including the legal process, confidentiality, counselling, consent, and the rights of women navigating adoption related decisions.

25/05/2026

LEGAL ADVICE:
A recent judgment from the Western Cape High Court shows that South African courts are increasingly recognising the lived realities and legal consequences of Muslim marriages.

The Court confirmed that financial arrangements and conduct between spouses may still have legal consequences, even where there is no written agreement. Record keeping and proof of financial contributions can therefore become extremely important.

This judgment strengthens legal protections for women who may have carried significant financial responsibilities during a marriage.

18/05/2026

LEGAL ADVICE
A recent Western Cape High Court judgment confirmed important protections for women in Muslim marriages.
The Court in Y.M v S.P (Appeal) (A146/2025) [2026] ZAWCHC 164.recognised the Islamic principle of Nafaqah, a husband’s duty to maintain his wife and household, and confirmed that where a wife covers household expenses because her husband is struggling financially, those payments are not automatically considered gifts.
Depending on the circumstances, women may be able to claim repayment for certain expenses incurred during the marriage.
The judgment is an important recognition of the legal consequences and financial realities of Muslim marriages in South Africa.

18/05/2026

14/05/2026

Women’s Legal Centre Attorney Andrea-Joy Jantjies joined Radio 786 to unpack domestic violence in South Africa, including the forms of abuse recognised in law, protections under the Domestic Violence Act, and the support available to survivors.

Watch the full interview:
https://youtu.be/pJbNBDZsyZ0

12/05/2026

Due to the ongoing severe weather conditions in Cape Town, the Women’s Legal Centre team will continue working remotely today to ensure the safety of our staff.

Please note that no in person legal advice consultations will take place during this time.

For assistance:
[email protected]
WhatsApp: 079 421 8197

Please stay safe.