What this life looks like
You hold power accountable and defend the dignity of every person. Human Rights Lawyers use the law to challenge abuses of state power, protect vulnerable communities, and advance constitutional and international rights. Africa has some of the world's most important human rights battles — from land rights to press freedom to gender equality — and the lawyers fighting these battles are on the front lines of the continent's democratic future.
What she actually does
You investigate human rights violations, document abuses, advise victims, bring strategic litigation before national and international courts, file complaints with human rights commissions, produce legal reports and advocacy documents, advise NGOs and international organisations, and engage with UN human rights mechanisms to put pressure on governments.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Human Rights NGOs | Amnesty International Africa, Human Rights Watch Africa, CIVICUS, ARTICLE 19 Africa |
| Legal Organisations | Legal Resources Centre (SA), Lawyers for Human Rights (SA), FIDA, Constitutionnet |
| International Bodies | African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, African Commission, UN Human Rights Council |
| Academic & Research | Centre for Human Rights (Pretoria), Strathmore Law School (Kenya), Dullah Omar Institute (SA) |
Why it matters in Africa
Freedom of expression, land rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women's bodily autonomy, indigenous peoples' rights, and accountability for state violence are all live battles in Africa's courts and legislatures. International institutions including the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Commission, and the ICC all provide forums for human rights advocacy. The need for skilled advocates has never been greater.
Your pathway in
- Study Law (LLB) with a strong focus on constitutional law, international human rights law, and public interest law
- Pursue an LLM in International Human Rights Law — universities in Cape Town, Nairobi, and London offer excellent programmes
- Gain experience with human rights NGOs, Legal Aid organisations, or constitutional litigation clinics during your studies
- Build skills in international human rights mechanisms — UN treaty bodies, Special Rapporteurs, African Commission
- Be prepared to take cases others will not — human rights law often requires professional courage
Skills you will need
- International human rights law
- Strategic litigation
- Legal documentation of abuses
- Advocacy and campaigning
- Resilience under pressure
- Report writing
A woman in this field
Alice Nkom
Cameroon
Alice Nkom is a trailblazing Cameroonian lawyer and human rights defender who became the first Black French-speaking woman admitted to the bar in Cameroon in 1969. She is internationally renowned for her fearless advocacy for marginalized groups and her work defending the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in a region where such work carries significant personal and professional risk.
Take your first step
- Study the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights — it is Africa's foundational human rights document and every African human rights lawyer must know it
- Research what the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights does and where it sits — it is in Arusha, Tanzania
- Follow Amnesty International Africa and Human Rights Watch Africa on social media to follow live human rights issues
- Read 'I Am Malala' or 'We Should All Be Feminists' — personal accounts of rights battles that show why this work matters