Women's Legal Centre

The Women's Legal Centre (WLC) is one of South Africa's most important feminist legal institutions — an African feminist law centre founded in Cape Town in 1998, dedicated entirely to advancing the rights and equality of womxn through strategic litigation, legal advice, advocacy, education, and training. They operate nationally, with a particular focus on the rights of black womxn, who — despite South Africa's progressive Constitution — have seen the least real-world improvement in their everyday lives.

Their impact reaches far beyond any single case. The WLC wins precedent-setting legal victories that change the law for millions of women across South Africa — from recognising Muslim marriages, to protecting domestic workers' labour rights, to holding the state accountable for failures in GBV response. Every case they argue is chosen not just for the individual it helps, but for the broader change it creates.

What They Offer Survivors

Free Legal Advice — National Legal Advice Unit The WLC's Legal Advice Unit operates nationally — receiving daily enquiries from women across South Africa by phone, in person, by email, and via WhatsApp. Led by an advocate and supported by paralegals, the unit provides free legal advice to women on all of the WLC's focus areas. If you are a woman who has experienced GBV, domestic violence, or sexual violence — or who has been denied your rights in a relationship, in employment, in housing, or in healthcare — you can contact the WLC for advice.

The Right to Be Free from Violence The WLC litigates and advocates specifically to ensure that women and girls can access state protection from violence — challenging failures in policing, prosecution, and the court system that allow GBV to continue with impunity. They push for proper implementation of Sexual Offences Courts, challenge secondary victimisation of survivors in the justice system, and monitor state accountability in GBV response.

Equality in Relationships — Property, Marriage, and Dissolution For survivors leaving abusive relationships, the WLC fights for women's rights to property, assets, and financial resources acquired during the relationship — regardless of the form that relationship took. They have won landmark cases recognising Muslim marriages, protecting women in domestic partnerships, and ensuring that dissolution of any relationship does not leave women economically destitute.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) The WLC litigates and advocates to ensure women can access sexual and reproductive health services without coercion, discrimination, or violence — including the right to safe abortion services, contraception, and reproductive healthcare.

Labour Rights for Vulnerable Women Workers Farm workers, domestic workers, migrant workers, and sex workers are among the most exploited and least protected workers in South Africa. The WLC fights for their labour rights — recognising that economic exploitation is itself a form of GBV.

Land, Housing, and Property Rights Women's right to secure housing and land — independently, not only through a husband or partner — is a central focus of WLC's work. Housing insecurity is one of the most powerful tools of control used by abusive partners. The WLC fights to ensure women can hold property in their own right.

Advocacy, Submissions, and Policy Reform The WLC makes written and oral submissions to Parliament, regional and international human rights bodies, and other institutions — ensuring women's voices and experiences shape the laws and policies that govern their lives.

For free legal advice, contact the Women's Legal Centre: 021 424 5660 or info@wlce.co.za. Walk-ins are welcome at 5 St Georges Mall, Cape Town. WhatsApp and email enquiries are also accepted.