Defending Zambia’s Children
Who we are
We’re a charitable human rights organisation supporting vulnerable children in conflict with the law with free legal representation, social services and advocacy for a restorative justice system.
The vast majority of children in conflict with the law in Zambia cannot afford a lawyer, and legal aid resources are very limited. This often forces children to defend themselves alone in court, lacking even a basic understanding of their rights and legal procedure. This can result in overly severe charges, one-sided trials, and weak convictions. On top of this, conditions in Zambian prisons are extremely challenging, with children often facing risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse.
We have been immersed within prisons, police stations, and reformatory schools in Zambia for over a decade and gained first hand knowledge of the tough conditions and problems children face when arrested. Our team of qualified and experienced experts including lawyers, psychologists, and social workers have devised highly effective interventions spanning legal aid, social support, and advocacy to provide children the support and services they need and are entitled to whilst detained.