Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice

MEET OUR SPEAKERS: TERESA NJOROGE ?? Teresa Njoroge is the Founder & CEO of Clean Start Africa, convenor of Beyond the Bars Africa Conference, and the Founding Patron of the Movement: Sisters on the Outside (The Coalition of Formerly Imprisoned Women in Africa). Teresa is a devoted people leader and a community-centric social entrepreneur. She passionately advocates for the rights of children of imprisoned parents, youth, and women impacted by criminal justice systems due to the criminalization of poverty. Come hear directly from Teresa and our other speakers on this important topic. There's still time to register for tonight's event ??https://lnkd.in/ec98a_Tk #CSW69 #reintegration #womeninprison #criminaljustice #beyondthebars

MEET OUR SPEAKERS: CLAUDIA CARDONA?? Claudia Alejandra Cardona is a psychologist and a specialist in the defense of human rights. As the founder and director of Corporación Mujeres Libres, she plays a key role in advocating for the rights of women who have experienced incarceration. Having personally experienced incarceration, she has dedicated her work to defending the rights of women who are still in prison, those who have been released, and their families. She is a member of the Commission for the Monitoring of the Unconstitutional State of Affairs in the Penitentiary and Prison System, addressing systemic issues within Colombia’s prison system. Alongside other civil society representatives, she participated in drafting the Law on Alternatives to Prison for Women Heads of Household, advocating for its approval through lobbying efforts in Congress and the Constitutional Court. She is currently supporting the law’s implementation process. She was invited to join the working group on incarcerated women within the CIDH_IACHR, where she has contributed her experience and perspective to improve the conditions and rights of these women across the region. Don't miss hearing from Claudia! There's still time to register for tomorrow's event??https://lnkd.in/ec98a_Tk #CSW69 #reintegration #womeninprison #Colombia #mujereslibres

Breaking Barriers: Advancing the Right to Reintegration for Women Deprived of Liberty MEET OUR SPEAKERS: SARANG AHSANI?? Sarang Ahsani has over 20 years of experience with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPPS), starting as a Prison Officer and advancing through various roles, including in the Probation Service. He served as a Probation Specialist with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), focusing on non-custodial measures for minors in custody. Over the past decade, Sarang has held international roles at SPPS, managing penal reform projects in Iraq, Albania, and Kenya. He has also served as Assistant Governor at high-security prisons in Stockholm and worked as a short-term expert for the Council of Europe and the EU. Additionally, he has represented Sweden in international UN policy development and has extensive experience in inter-agency coordination. Sarang holds two master's degrees in Social and Cultural Analysis and Global Political Studies. Since January 2025, he has been the UNODC's Prison and Corrections Advisor at the UN HQ in New York, following his role as a senior analyst at SPPS, where he provided strategic analysis to senior management. Sarang will discuss global systemic barriers and gender-specific challenges in criminal justice and correctional systems, using statistical data, and will explore international standards and UNODC’s approach to bridging these gaps for greater equality. Don't miss this important conversation tomorrow! There's still time to register??https://lnkd.in/ec98a_Tk #CSW69 #reintegration #womeninprison #criminaljustice

Tomorrow kicks off our first of two public-facing events alongside the United Nations 69th Commission on the Status of Women! ?? ??This year, the global community will also mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Thirty years after its creation, the Beijing Declaration, which sets a transformative global agenda for advancing women's rights and gender equality, is as important than ever. Our Women in Prison Network initiative is proud to host two events alongside #CSW69 on the rights of incarcerated women - a population that is deeply impacted by these issues but often left out of conversations on women's rights.???? ??It's time to change that. We have some incredible speakers lined up for our events and invite legal practitioners, advocates, policymakers, activists, or those interested in learning more about the rights of women deprived of liberty to join us for these essential conversations! ?Breaking Barriers: Advancing the Right to Reintegration for Women Deprived of Liberty ? ??Thursday, March 13, 2025 ?? 5:30-7:00 p.m. ??New York City Bar Association, 42 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 ??Registration is required for this hybrid event. Register here to attend in person ??https://lnkd.in/eUSvHUva Register here to attend virtually ??https://lnkd.in/eSjGSEhP Co-sponsored by the New York City Bar Association United Nations Committee. #CSW69 #womensrights #genderequality #unitednations #reintegration Romina Canessa Adaobi Egboka (Ufondu) Milena Klimberg van Marrewijk Sophia Romma, Ph.D., Esq.

??How can legal frameworks effectively prevent and address situations of workplace sexual harassment? ???We recently joined the annual CLE hosted by the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law for a conversation on sexual harassment laws in Africa. ??The conversation built on key findings from our recent study, which examines sexual harassment laws in 22 African jurisdictions and was produced in partnership with Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI), the Pan African Lawyers Union (Official), and with legal support from A&O Shearman and national law firms in the relevant countries. The panelists explored: ??The power of movement building to address workplace sexual harassment ??The intersection of gender, power, and consent, especially in informal labor settings ??Opportunities to create a model law to standardize protections against sexual harassment in Africa ??Thank you to the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law for hosting this critical discussion. Special thanks to panel chair Megan Cistulli and fellow speakers Furaha Joy Sekai Saungweme, founder and regional coordinator of Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI) and Joelle Nwabueze, Associate Professor at the Enugu State University Of Science And Technology. ??For more highlights from the conversation: https://lnkd.in/e6JEjE3Y ?Want to stay up to date on all things Vance Center? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! https://lnkd.in/e7y-7iZm

From Justice to Freedom?? One week until the2??nd event in our Women in Prison Network series during #CSW69 Women in the criminal justice system face distinct challenges at every stage, from their initial contact with law enforcement to their experiences during incarceration and post-release. These challenges often arise from systemic gender biases, economic inequality, and caregiving responsibilities, leading to disproportionate impacts on women and their families.?????? ??This event will provide a platform to discuss global innovations that address the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system, offering lessons and strategies in law and practice that can inspire policy reform, advocacy, and program development. ??We have some incredible speakers lined up and invite legal practitioners, advocates, policymakers, activists, or those interested in learning more about the rights of women deprived of liberty to join us for these essential conversations! From Justice to Freedom: Innovative Global Approaches to Address Challenges Faced by Women in the Criminal Justice System ??Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ?? 4:00-5:30 p.m. ??Winston & Strawn LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY ??Registration is required for this hybrid event. Register here to attend in person ??https://lnkd.in/eD7v9bRh Register here to attend virtually ??https://lnkd.in/eGWe4Ez9 This special event is hosted in partnership with Winston & Strawn LLP. #CSW69 #womensrights #genderequality #unitednations #probono

City Bar Statement Expressing Concern over the Criminalization of Judges in Mexico ???? The Vance Center joined the New York City Bar Association's Inter-American Affairs Committee and Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges in signing on to a statement expressing concern about recent criminal investigations opened by Mexico’s Attorney General's Office against two federal judges in #Mexico ???? The investigations appear to be in retaliation for the judges' rulings in cases related to the new judicial reform process in the country. In the statement, the City Bar emphasizes that judicial independence is a fundamental pillar of the rule of law and an essential requirement for ensuring access to justice and the protection of human rights. It calls on Mexican authorities to: ?Stop criminalizing or retaliating against judges who are carrying out their constitutional duties, ?Respect the autonomy of the judiciary, and ?Comply with international recommendations on judicial independence. “The possibility that judges could be investigated and sanctioned for issuing rulings in the exercise of their judicial duties undermines basic principles of due process and violates international standards of judicial independence,” the statement says. Read more?? https://lnkd.in/e_AETJMH #mexico #judicialreform #judicialindependence Jessenia Vazcones-Yagual Christopher Pioch

We're just a few days away from our first of two public-facing events alongside the United Nations 69th Commission on the Status of Women! ?? ??This year, the global community will also mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Thirty years after its creation, the Beijing Declaration, which sets a transformative global agenda for advancing women's rights and gender equality, is as important than ever. Our Women in Prison Network initiative is proud to host two events alongside #CSW69 on the rights of incarcerated women - a population that is deeply impacted by these issues but often left out of conversations on women's rights.???? ??It's time to change that. We have some incredible speakers lined up for our events and invite legal practitioners, advocates, policymakers, activists, or those interested in learning more about the rights of women deprived of liberty to join us for these essential conversations! ?Breaking Barriers: Advancing the Right to Reintegration for Women Deprived of Liberty ? ??Thursday, March 13, 2025 ?? 5:30-7:00 p.m. ??New York City Bar Association, 42 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 ??Registration is required for this hybrid event. Register here to attend in person ??https://lnkd.in/eUSvHUva Register here to attend virtually ??https://lnkd.in/eSjGSEhP Co-sponsored by the New York City Bar Association United Nations Committee. #CSW69 #womensrights #genderequality #unitednations #reintegration Romina Canessa Adaobi Egboka (Ufondu) Milena Klimberg van Marrewijk Sophia Romma, Ph.D., Esq.

??This International Women's Day, we're taking the opportunity to spotlight the 2nd event in our Women in Prison Network series alongside #CSW69: From Justice to Freedom?? Women in the criminal justice system face distinct challenges at every stage, from their initial contact with law enforcement to their experiences during incarceration and post-release. These challenges often arise from systemic gender biases, economic inequality, and caregiving responsibilities, leading to disproportionate impacts on women and their families.?????? ??This event will provide a platform to discuss global innovations that address the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system, offering lessons and strategies in law and practice that can inspire policy reform, advocacy, and program development. ??We have some incredible speakers lined up and invite legal practitioners, advocates, policymakers, activists, or those interested in learning more about the rights of women deprived of liberty to join us for these essential conversations! From Justice to Freedom: Innovative Global Approaches to Address Challenges Faced by Women in the Criminal Justice System ??Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ?? 4:00-5:30 p.m. ??Winston & Strawn LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY ??Registration is required for this hybrid event. Register here to attend in person ??https://lnkd.in/eD7v9bRh Register here to attend virtually ??https://lnkd.in/eGWe4Ez9 This special event is hosted in partnership with Winston & Strawn LLP. #CSW69 #womensrights #genderequality #unitednations #probono

This year's #InternationalWomensDay theme is "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." The human rights, equality, and empowerment of women across all levels of the legal profession and justice has been central to the Vance Center's work and mission since the very beginning. ??????Our Women in the Profession initiative promotes the advancement and leadership of women in this historically male-dominated legal field, with active chapters in more than 20 countries across three continents. ??The Women in Prison Network brings together organizations from around the world to advocate and fight for the rights of women deprived of liberty. Many of these organizations are created and led by women who were themselves previously incarcerated. The Network offers a structure to join shared experiences, strategize, exchange best practices, and build power together. ????In South Africa, three full cohorts of mentors and mentees have built powerful relationships through the Advancing Women in the Workplace program. Through AWW, dozens of women at all stages of their legal careers, from young law school graduates to trailblazing attorneys leading their own firms, have connected to share knowledge, grow their network, and create more opportunities for one another. ??We're proud to work with pro bono clients across the world that are actively engaged in strengthening and defending women's rights. From networks of women environmental leaders and land rights defenders, to female leaders transforming how nonprofit newsrooms are run, our clients are working every day to make the world a safer and more equal place for women and girls.???????????? ???Today and every day, we celebrate the inspiring women leaders across our network. ??We're grateful to all who have devoted your time, energy, skills, and resources to building these communities, supporting their colleagues, and empowering younger lawyers. ??We're proud that our clients trust us to provide the support they need for their essential work for women's rights. ??And we're inspired by your commitment to making the legal professional a more welcoming, diverse, and equitable space. We look forward to continuing this necessary work together. #InternationalWomensDay #DiadelaMujer #IWD2025 #womensempowerment #womenintheprofession #accesstojustice Women in Law Mentoring Brazil - WLM Women in the Profession (WIP) Colombia Women In the Profession (WIP) Chile Women in the Profession (WIP) Ethiopia Chapter WIP Costa Rica WIP Kenyan Chapter WIP Ecuador Abogadas MX WIP Nigerian Chapter WIP-DR Chapter Women in the Profession (WIP) Paraguay WIP- Perú