The MoU on Women’s access to justice through legal aids and lawsuit got signed between the Ministry of Justice and Support Women Organization-MEDICA Afghanistan.

This document was signed by Sayed Mohammad Hashimi- Deputy Administrative Minister of Justice and the Acting Minister of Justice and GoIRA and Mrs. Homaira- Head of Support Women Organization on Monday 3^rd of Jawza 1395 in presence of Assadullah Wahdat the Head of Legal Aid Grants.

The Deputy Minister Hashimi emphasized on further coordination between Ministry of Justice and partner civil organizations and asked the Head of this organization to hold meetings for creation of more coordination on monthly basis. And requested them to submit their performance reports to the ministry of justice on quarter basis so that it is compiled with the report of General Department of Legal Aid Grants and this way, differentiation is made that what number of state cases and cases related to projects and organizations signed MoU with Ministry of Justice have been reviewed and defended.

Mrs. Rasooli as well did emphasize on creation of further coordination and asked the Ministry of Justice to prepare a reporting format acceptable and convenient for all.

Based on this MoU, the Support Women Organization- MEDICA Afghanistan as an organization partner with General Department of Legal Aid Grants of MoJ, shall hold the following duties and responsibilities:

Administering legal cases (Familial, Criminal, and Victims) of poor women and girls by defense lawyers of MEDICA Afghanistan in a pro-bono and free of charge way.

Following up the cases dispatched from General Department of Legal Aid Grants, Central Huqooq Department, and their sub-departments and from Provincial Justice Departments of Herat and Balkh and ensuring the provision of rulings on cases to the above-mentioned authorities.

Provision of free legal advices to defendants

Provision of public legal awareness to the defendants and other people in coordination with public legal awareness division of the capital and provinces

Ensuring approval for each program following its implementation

Mediation in cases on the bases of the request of defendants and following up the cases ended

The legal aid program is being funded by GIZ and implemented by Support Women Organization- MEDICA Afghanistan with the budget of 413,324 Euros. This program has been designed in coordination and collaboration with the General Department of Legal Aid Grants and its activities cover realization of rights of women and girls subjected to violence. This organization takes legal actions by means of provision of pro bono services (legal, intellectual, social, health, education services and building social awareness to eliminate violence against women) and promotion of social dignity of women and girls.

This organization operates in three provinces- Kabul, Balkh and Herat. And it has implemented several projects on improvement of condition and status of women and girls so far.