According to the needs assessment conducted by UNDP which examined the human rights and gender dimensions of previous phases of UNDP-led project “Support to Legal Aid and Dispute Settlement in Family Courts and Legal Aid Offices”, UNDP support led to the establishment of 21, out of the total 44, legal aid offices throughout Egypt, which has improved access to legal aid, especially for women. In 2008-2023, over 1.14 million people received legal services, of which 70 percent were women, demonstrating the massive expansion in the availability of legal aid to those in need.
Over the same period, UNDP facilitated 45 workshops for over 1,300 judicial staff members, enhancing their capabilities in legal aid provision and dispute resolution, which, in turn, has improved the quality and efficiency of legal aid services, contributing to a more informed and effective judiciary that is sensitive to gender issues and human rights.
UNDP’s partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice was pivotal for the integration of the legal aid offices within the family court system and for leveraging governmental support for judicial infrastructure.
In Egypt, initiatives are ongoing to reform the judiciary and legal system to ensure greater equity and access to justice, particularly for marginalized groups, including women; and to align domestic laws and practices with international human rights standards.
With the support from UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development and in partnership with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), UNDP conducted a needs assessment to examine the human rights and gender dimensions of previous phases of UNDP-led project “Support to Legal Aid and Dispute Settlement in Family Courts and Legal Aid Offices.” The assessment covered the timeframe between 2008 and 2023.
The needs assessment examined three areas: access to legal aid, capacity building and training, as well as awareness raising and public engagement. The findings illustrate positive impact of the rule of law interventions on access to justice, gender equality and human rights promotion.
For example, access to legal aid has improved as 44 legal aid offices were established throughout Egypt: 21 of these offices were operationalized with UNDP support. In 2008-2023, over 1.14 million people received legal services, of which 70 percent were women, demonstrating the massive expansion in the availability of legal aid to those in need.
By ensuring women’s access to legal aid, the project indirectly influenced the legal system to become more equitable and responsive to gender issues. Also, the success in reaching women helped normalize the behavior of seeking legal aid among women who might otherwise feel stigmatized or hesitant. This cultural shift can have long-lasting effects on how legal issues are addressed within families and communities. Moreover, the insights on women’s experiences captured in the assessment provide robust evidence to advocate for policy and legislative reforms. It highlights the demand and need for legal aid, particularly among women, and can inform future efforts to expand access to legal services.
With regards to the capacity building and training, over the period under review UNDP facilitated 45 workshops for over 1,300 judicial staff members, enhancing their capabilities in legal aid provision and dispute resolution. According the assessment results, this, in turn, has improved the quality and efficiency of legal aid services, contributing to a more informed and effective judiciary that is sensitive to gender issues and human rights.
Awareness raising, communication and outreach interventions were conducted through the UNDP-supported project reached thousands of Egyptians, significantly increasing the public knowledge of their legal rights and available services. The increase in public awareness has fostered greater trust in the judicial system and encouraged more individuals to seek legal aid, contributing to a more active and engaged citizenry.
UNDP’s partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice was pivotal as it allowed to integrate the legal aid offices within the family court system and leveraged governmental support for judicial infrastructure. The needs assessment further illustrated how through the partnerships with national stakeholders the project was able to expand access to legal aid, demonstrating the importance of integrating such services within the formal judicial system.
Lessons learned and good practices
The assessment highlighted the need to update the equipment and digital capacities of legal aid offices which have relied on outdated equipment. Investing in technology will contribute to the improvement of service delivery.
Turnover of skilled personnel and the retirement of capacitated employees undermines efforts to maintain the quality of justice and legal aid services. This underscores the need for continuous training and the development of mechanisms to retain skilled staff within the judiciary.
The assessment identified concerns with regard to the infrastructure of legal aid and dispute settlement offices, including inadequate space and lack of privacy for clients. Addressing these logistical challenges is crucial to ensure that the services are accessible and to respect the confidentiality and dignity of those seeking legal aid.
While the project made significant strides in raising public awareness about legal rights and available services, more targeted efforts are needed to reach the most vulnerable populations, including those with special needs, refugees, and non-Arabic speakers.
Looking forward
The results of this assessment will inform a new phase of the project and define priority areas of the UNDP-MoJ partnership. The evidence received can also be utilized for other contexts as multiple lessons learned and good practices were drawn.