{"id":120,"date":"2025-01-10T13:55:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T13:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.unitydow.org\/?page_id=120"},"modified":"2025-03-26T14:37:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T12:37:04","slug":"jurist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/index.php\/jurist\/","title":{"rendered":"Jurist"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"120\" class=\"elementor elementor-120\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-136fb6c e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"136fb6c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dc1ead e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4dc1ead\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f03f24 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f03f24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">JURIST<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7178a3 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a7178a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e47cb30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e47cb30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Life in Justice<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf2ebb6 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bf2ebb6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e55cf9 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7e55cf9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7c275c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7c275c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Unity Dow\u2019s career as a jurist is a testament to her unwavering dedication to justice and equality. Through her work as a lawyer, judge, and international legal expert, she has shaped laws, challenged discrimination, and upheld the principles of fairness on both national and global stages.<\/p><p>She gained prominence for taking on cases that others deemed too controversial, including those addressing gender equality and human rights.<\/p><p>One of her most notable cases was the landmark <a style=\"color: #050a30;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/sites\/www.law.cornell.edu\/files\/women-and-justice\/Attorney-General-v-Unity-Dow.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong>Attorney General v Unity Dow <\/strong><\/em><\/a>which challenged Botswana&#8217;s discriminatory citizenship laws and secured equal rights for women to pass citizenship to their children.<\/p><p>Her legal career is defined by a commitment to advocating for the marginalized and ensuring that the law serves as a tool for empowerment and fairness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a4851b elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0a4851b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"mailto:ud@unitydow.org\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">REACH OUT<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bab106c e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bab106c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8357ed1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8357ed1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jurist2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1561\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jurist2.png 480w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jurist2-225x300.png 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b41305 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8b41305\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93a9e20 wpr-list-style-disc elementor-widget elementor-widget-wpr-posts-timeline\" data-id=\"93a9e20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation_offset&quot;:150,&quot;aos_animation_duration&quot;:600}\" data-widget_type=\"wpr-posts-timeline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"wpr-wrapper wpr-vertical wpr-centered\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpr-timeline-centered wpr-line wpr-both-sided-timeline\"><div class=\"wpr-middle-line\"><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-fill\" data-layout=\"centered\"><\/div><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1992<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-left-aligned elementor-repeater-item-01c57f2\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-01c57f2\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-child\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M120 72c0-39.765 32.235-72 72-72s72 32.235 72 72c0 39.764-32.235 72-72 72s-72-32.236-72-72zm254.627 1.373c-12.496-12.497-32.758-12.497-45.254 0L242.745 160H141.254L54.627 73.373c-12.496-12.497-32.758-12.497-45.254 0-12.497 12.497-12.497 32.758 0 45.255L104 213.254V480c0 17.673 14.327 32 32 32h16c17.673 0 32-14.327 32-32V368h16v112c0 17.673 14.327 32 32 32h16c17.673 0 32-14.327 32-32V213.254l94.627-94.627c12.497-12.497 12.497-32.757 0-45.254z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1992.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1992.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1992-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1992-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1992-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;Her children could not be citizens of her country Botswana.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li>successfully challenged the constitutionality of the law resulting in the seminal court decision of <em>The Attorney General v Unity Dow 1992 BLR 119<\/em>.<\/li><li>paved the way to the government\u2019s total overhaul of laws affecting women, bringing them into compliance with the ruling in the Dow Case.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1993<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-right-aligned elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-bullhorn\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M576 240c0-23.63-12.95-44.04-32-55.12V32.01C544 23.26 537.02 0 512 0c-7.12 0-14.19 2.38-19.98 7.02l-85.03 68.03C364.28 109.19 310.66 128 256 128H64c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v96c0 35.35 28.65 64 64 64h33.7c-1.39 10.48-2.18 21.14-2.18 32 0 39.77 9.26 77.35 25.56 110.94 5.19 10.69 16.52 17.06 28.4 17.06h74.28c26.05 0 41.69-29.84 25.9-50.56-16.4-21.52-26.15-48.36-26.15-77.44 0-11.11 1.62-21.79 4.41-32H256c54.66 0 108.28 18.81 150.98 52.95l85.03 68.03a32.023 32.023 0 0 0 19.98 7.02c24.92 0 32-22.78 32-32V295.13C563.05 284.04 576 263.63 576 240zm-96 141.42l-33.05-26.44C392.95 311.78 325.12 288 256 288v-96c69.12 0 136.95-23.78 190.95-66.98L480 98.58v282.84z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1993.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1993.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1993-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1993-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1993-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: <\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;color: #0f172a\">\"The existing mechanisms\/structures for accessing justice were sufficient for all Botswana\u2019s citizens.\"\n<\/strong><br>\n<em>She...<\/em>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Initiated marches and protests<\/li>\n \t<li>Used theatre and drama<\/li>\n \t<li>Mounted workshops and seminars<\/li>\n \t<li>Wrote novels<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1996<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-left-aligned elementor-repeater-item-b0a2675\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-b0a2675\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-file-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224 136V0H24C10.7 0 0 10.7 0 24v464c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24h336c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V160H248c-13.2 0-24-10.8-24-24zm64 236c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v8zm0-64c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v8zm0-72v8c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12zm96-114.1v6.1H256V0h6.1c6.4 0 12.5 2.5 17 7l97.9 98c4.5 4.5 7 10.6 7 16.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-GBV.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-GBV.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-GBV-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-GBV-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-GBV-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;Her GBV client could not seek protection from the courts without first reporting a matter to the police.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li>found an obscure and never before used provision in the law to gain them direct access to Magistrate courts<\/li><li>moved a motion in Parliament calling for the establishment of dedicated officers to facilitate the use of the still unutilised protective legal provision<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1996<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-right-aligned elementor-repeater-item-ec95f15\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-ec95f15\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-key\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M512 176.001C512 273.203 433.202 352 336 352c-11.22 0-22.19-1.062-32.827-3.069l-24.012 27.014A23.999 23.999 0 0 1 261.223 384H224v40c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24h-40v40c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24H24c-13.255 0-24-10.745-24-24v-78.059c0-6.365 2.529-12.47 7.029-16.971l161.802-161.802C163.108 213.814 160 195.271 160 176 160 78.798 238.797.001 335.999 0 433.488-.001 512 78.511 512 176.001zM336 128c0 26.51 21.49 48 48 48s48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48-48 21.49-48 48z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;A married woman who moves out of the marital home prior to getting a divorce, could not have access to any of the joint marital property.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>introduced the concept of \u201caccess and use\u201d of joint property without the need for its division<\/p><\/li><li><p>successfully enlisted the police, on pain of being responsible if such a woman was assaulted by her husband, to overseeing peaceful removal of said property<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><\/div>    \n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee19884 wpr-list-style-disc elementor-widget elementor-widget-wpr-posts-timeline\" data-id=\"ee19884\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation_offset&quot;:150,&quot;aos_animation_duration&quot;:600}\" data-widget_type=\"wpr-posts-timeline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"wpr-wrapper wpr-vertical wpr-centered\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpr-timeline-centered wpr-line wpr-both-sided-timeline\"><div class=\"wpr-middle-line\"><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-fill\" data-layout=\"centered\"><\/div><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1996<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-left-aligned elementor-repeater-item-01c57f2\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-01c57f2\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-pen-fancy\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M79.18 282.94a32.005 32.005 0 0 0-20.24 20.24L0 480l4.69 4.69 92.89-92.89c-.66-2.56-1.57-5.03-1.57-7.8 0-17.67 14.33-32 32-32s32 14.33 32 32-14.33 32-32 32c-2.77 0-5.24-.91-7.8-1.57l-92.89 92.89L32 512l176.82-58.94a31.983 31.983 0 0 0 20.24-20.24l33.07-84.07-98.88-98.88-84.07 33.07zM369.25 28.32L186.14 227.81l97.85 97.85 199.49-183.11C568.4 67.48 443.73-55.94 369.25 28.32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-Sentence.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-Sentence.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-Sentence-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-Sentence-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1996-Sentence-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;Despite the law providing for life sentence for rape, Magistrates could and did sentence rape convicts to 3-year jail terms.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>bused women 80km from Mochudi to Molepolole, to attend a rape trial with the result that the perpetrator received a ten-year jail term, then the highest ever handed down.<\/p><\/li><li><p>initiated protest marches against the low sentences in rape cases.<\/p><\/li><li><p>successfully participated in advocating for legislative reforms that led to the setting of ten years as the minimum sentence for rape<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1997<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-right-aligned elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-church\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M464.46 246.68L352 179.2V128h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V80c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16h-48V16c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16h-32c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v48h-48c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v32c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v51.2l-112.46 67.48A31.997 31.997 0 0 0 160 274.12V512h96v-96c0-35.35 28.65-64 64-64s64 28.65 64 64v96h96V274.12c0-11.24-5.9-21.66-15.54-27.44zM0 395.96V496c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h112V320L19.39 366.54A32.024 32.024 0 0 0 0 395.96zm620.61-29.42L512 320v192h112c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V395.96c0-12.8-7.63-24.37-19.39-29.42z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-Rape.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-Rape.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-Rape-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-Rape-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-Rape-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;Her under-age pregnant rape victim client could not have the pregnancy terminated because of hospital superintendent was Catholic; and that the rape victim could not  give evidence because she was deaf and mute.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>successfully sued the government, compelling the termination of the pregnancy<\/p><\/li><li><p>challenged the traditional evidence taking methods and facilitated the trial and conviction of the perpetrator<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">1997<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-left-aligned elementor-repeater-item-ec95f15\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-ec95f15\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-paperclip\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M43.246 466.142c-58.43-60.289-57.341-157.511 1.386-217.581L254.392 34c44.316-45.332 116.351-45.336 160.671 0 43.89 44.894 43.943 117.329 0 162.276L232.214 383.128c-29.855 30.537-78.633 30.111-107.982-.998-28.275-29.97-27.368-77.473 1.452-106.953l143.743-146.835c6.182-6.314 16.312-6.422 22.626-.241l22.861 22.379c6.315 6.182 6.422 16.312.241 22.626L171.427 319.927c-4.932 5.045-5.236 13.428-.648 18.292 4.372 4.634 11.245 4.711 15.688.165l182.849-186.851c19.613-20.062 19.613-52.725-.011-72.798-19.189-19.627-49.957-19.637-69.154 0L90.39 293.295c-34.763 35.56-35.299 93.12-1.191 128.313 34.01 35.093 88.985 35.137 123.058.286l172.06-175.999c6.177-6.319 16.307-6.433 22.626-.256l22.877 22.364c6.319 6.177 6.434 16.307.256 22.626l-172.06 175.998c-59.576 60.938-155.943 60.216-214.77-.485z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1997-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;The children of her 188 clients were only entitled to P40\/month (US$13) for child support as a lawyer.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li>paralysed the court system by filing 188 court cases, clogging the system, with the result that no other case could be registered<\/li><li>shone a light on the discriminatory provisions of a law that placed unfair financial burden on women and discriminated against children born out of marriage.<\/li><li>forced Parliament to pass a new child support law that is non-discriminatory on the basis of sex of the parent or marital status of the mother<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">2006<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-right-aligned elementor-repeater-item-f2793a9\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-f2793a9\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-stop-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248zm-448 0c0-110.5 89.5-200 200-200s200 89.5 200 200-89.5 200-200 200S56 366.5 56 256zm296-80v160c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H176c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V176c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16h160c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2006.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2006.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2006-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2006-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2006-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;The Bushmen\/Basarwa could not live or hunt in their ancestral land.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>held that the Bushmen had a right to their ancestral land<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><\/div>    \n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14c1a11 wpr-list-style-disc elementor-widget elementor-widget-wpr-posts-timeline\" data-id=\"14c1a11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation_offset&quot;:150,&quot;aos_animation_duration&quot;:600}\" data-widget_type=\"wpr-posts-timeline.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"wpr-wrapper wpr-vertical wpr-centered\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpr-timeline-centered wpr-line wpr-both-sided-timeline\"><div class=\"wpr-middle-line\"><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-fill\" data-layout=\"centered\"><\/div><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">2010<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-left-aligned elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-d72e025\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-rainbow\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M268.3 32.7C115.4 42.9 0 176.9 0 330.2V464c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320C64 186.8 180.9 80.3 317.5 97.9 430.4 112.4 512 214 512 327.8V464c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320c0-165.3-140-298.6-307.7-287.3zm-5.6 96.9C166 142 96 229.1 96 326.7V464c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320c0-74.8 64.5-134.8 140.8-127.4 66.5 6.5 115.2 66.2 115.2 133.1V464c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320c0-114.2-100.2-205.4-217.3-190.4zm6.2 96.3c-45.6 8.9-76.9 51.5-76.9 97.9V464c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320c0-17.6 14.3-32 32-32s32 14.4 32 32v144c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16h32c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16V320c0-59.2-53.8-106-115.1-94.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2010.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2010.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2010-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2010-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2010-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the law said: &quot;The LGBTQI+ community could not organise and associate publicly.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>successfully sued the government, leading to the registration of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO)<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><span class=\"wpr-year-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-year-label wpr-year\">2011<\/span><\/span><article class=\"wpr-timeline-entry wpr-right-aligned elementor-repeater-item-b0a2675\" data-item-id=\"elementor-repeater-item-b0a2675\"><div class=\"wpr-timeline-entry-inner\"><div class=\"wpr-main-line-icon wpr-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-file-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224 136V0H24C10.7 0 0 10.7 0 24v464c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24h336c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V160H248c-13.2 0-24-10.8-24-24zm64 236c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v8zm0-64c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v8zm0-72v8c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H108c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-8c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h168c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12zm96-114.1v6.1H256V0h6.1c6.4 0 12.5 2.5 17 7l97.9 98c4.5 4.5 7 10.6 7 16.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"wpr-story-info-vertical wpr-data-wrap \"  data-aos=\"fade\" data-aos-left=\"\" data-aos-right=\"\" data-animation-offset=\"150\" data-animation-duration=\"600\"><div class=\"wpr-animation-wrap wpr-timeline-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2011.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2011.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2011-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2011-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2011-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"wpr-timeline-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpr-title-wrap\"><span class=\"wpr-title\">When the Law said: &quot;The administration of corporal punishment was just, despite injury to her client.&quot;<\/span><\/div><div class=\"wpr-description\"><p><em>She...<\/em><\/p><ul><li>successfully sued the government for financial compensation.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article><\/div>    \n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d5ba01 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2d5ba01\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba80fab elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ba80fab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"mailto:ud@unitydow.org\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">GET IN TOUCH<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>JURIST A Life in Justice Unity Dow\u2019s career as a jurist is a testament to her unwavering dedication to justice and equality. Through her work as a lawyer, judge, and international legal expert, she has shaped laws, challenged discrimination, and upheld the principles of fairness on both national and global stages. She gained prominence for taking on cases that others deemed too controversial, including those addressing gender equality and human rights. One of her most notable cases was the landmark Attorney General v Unity Dow which challenged Botswana&#8217;s discriminatory citizenship laws and secured equal rights for women to pass citizenship to their children. Her legal career is defined by a commitment to advocating for the marginalized and ensuring that the law serves as a tool for empowerment and fairness. REACH OUT 1992 When the Law said: &quot;Her children could not be citizens of her country Botswana.&quot; She&#8230; successfully challenged the constitutionality of the law resulting in the seminal court decision of The Attorney General v Unity Dow 1992 BLR 119. paved the way to the government\u2019s total overhaul of laws affecting women, bringing them into compliance with the ruling in the Dow Case. 1993 When the Law said: &#8220;The existing mechanisms\/structures for accessing justice were sufficient for all Botswana\u2019s citizens.&#8221; She&#8230; Initiated marches and protests Used theatre and drama Mounted workshops and seminars Wrote novels 1996 When the Law said: &quot;Her GBV client could not seek protection from the courts without first reporting a matter to the police.&quot; She&#8230; found an obscure and never before used provision in the law to gain them direct access to Magistrate courts moved a motion in Parliament calling for the establishment of dedicated officers to facilitate the use of the still unutilised protective legal provision 1996 When the Law said: &quot;A married woman who moves out of the marital home prior to getting a divorce, could not have access to any of the joint marital property.&quot; She&#8230; introduced the concept of \u201caccess and use\u201d of joint property without the need for its division successfully enlisted the police, on pain of being responsible if such a woman was assaulted by her husband, to overseeing peaceful removal of said property 1996 When the Law said: &quot;Despite the law providing for life sentence for rape, Magistrates could and did sentence rape convicts to 3-year jail terms.&quot; She&#8230; bused women 80km from Mochudi to Molepolole, to attend a rape trial with the result that the perpetrator received a ten-year jail term, then the highest ever handed down. initiated protest marches against the low sentences in rape cases. successfully participated in advocating for legislative reforms that led to the setting of ten years as the minimum sentence for rape 1997 When the Law said: &quot;Her under-age pregnant rape victim client could not have the pregnancy terminated because of hospital superintendent was Catholic; and that the rape victim could not give evidence because she was deaf and mute.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government, compelling the termination of the pregnancy challenged the traditional evidence taking methods and facilitated the trial and conviction of the perpetrator 1997 When the Law said: &quot;The children of her 188 clients were only entitled to P40\/month (US$13) for child support as a lawyer.&quot; She&#8230; paralysed the court system by filing 188 court cases, clogging the system, with the result that no other case could be registered shone a light on the discriminatory provisions of a law that placed unfair financial burden on women and discriminated against children born out of marriage. forced Parliament to pass a new child support law that is non-discriminatory on the basis of sex of the parent or marital status of the mother 2006 When the Law said: &quot;The Bushmen\/Basarwa could not live or hunt in their ancestral land.&quot; She&#8230; held that the Bushmen had a right to their ancestral land 2010 When the law said: &quot;The LGBTQI+ community could not organise and associate publicly.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government, leading to the registration of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) 2011 When the Law said: &quot;The administration of corporal punishment was just, despite injury to her client.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government for financial compensation. GET IN TOUCH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-120","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jurist - Unity Dow<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/index.php\/jurist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jurist - Unity Dow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"JURIST A Life in Justice Unity Dow\u2019s career as a jurist is a testament to her unwavering dedication to justice and equality. Through her work as a lawyer, judge, and international legal expert, she has shaped laws, challenged discrimination, and upheld the principles of fairness on both national and global stages. She gained prominence for taking on cases that others deemed too controversial, including those addressing gender equality and human rights. One of her most notable cases was the landmark Attorney General v Unity Dow which challenged Botswana&#8217;s discriminatory citizenship laws and secured equal rights for women to pass citizenship to their children. Her legal career is defined by a commitment to advocating for the marginalized and ensuring that the law serves as a tool for empowerment and fairness. REACH OUT 1992 When the Law said: &quot;Her children could not be citizens of her country Botswana.&quot; She&#8230; successfully challenged the constitutionality of the law resulting in the seminal court decision of The Attorney General v Unity Dow 1992 BLR 119. paved the way to the government\u2019s total overhaul of laws affecting women, bringing them into compliance with the ruling in the Dow Case. 1993 When the Law said: &#8220;The existing mechanisms\/structures for accessing justice were sufficient for all Botswana\u2019s citizens.&#8221; She&#8230; Initiated marches and protests Used theatre and drama Mounted workshops and seminars Wrote novels 1996 When the Law said: &quot;Her GBV client could not seek protection from the courts without first reporting a matter to the police.&quot; She&#8230; found an obscure and never before used provision in the law to gain them direct access to Magistrate courts moved a motion in Parliament calling for the establishment of dedicated officers to facilitate the use of the still unutilised protective legal provision 1996 When the Law said: &quot;A married woman who moves out of the marital home prior to getting a divorce, could not have access to any of the joint marital property.&quot; She&#8230; introduced the concept of \u201caccess and use\u201d of joint property without the need for its division successfully enlisted the police, on pain of being responsible if such a woman was assaulted by her husband, to overseeing peaceful removal of said property 1996 When the Law said: &quot;Despite the law providing for life sentence for rape, Magistrates could and did sentence rape convicts to 3-year jail terms.&quot; She&#8230; bused women 80km from Mochudi to Molepolole, to attend a rape trial with the result that the perpetrator received a ten-year jail term, then the highest ever handed down. initiated protest marches against the low sentences in rape cases. successfully participated in advocating for legislative reforms that led to the setting of ten years as the minimum sentence for rape 1997 When the Law said: &quot;Her under-age pregnant rape victim client could not have the pregnancy terminated because of hospital superintendent was Catholic; and that the rape victim could not give evidence because she was deaf and mute.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government, compelling the termination of the pregnancy challenged the traditional evidence taking methods and facilitated the trial and conviction of the perpetrator 1997 When the Law said: &quot;The children of her 188 clients were only entitled to P40\/month (US$13) for child support as a lawyer.&quot; She&#8230; paralysed the court system by filing 188 court cases, clogging the system, with the result that no other case could be registered shone a light on the discriminatory provisions of a law that placed unfair financial burden on women and discriminated against children born out of marriage. forced Parliament to pass a new child support law that is non-discriminatory on the basis of sex of the parent or marital status of the mother 2006 When the Law said: &quot;The Bushmen\/Basarwa could not live or hunt in their ancestral land.&quot; She&#8230; held that the Bushmen had a right to their ancestral land 2010 When the law said: &quot;The LGBTQI+ community could not organise and associate publicly.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government, leading to the registration of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) 2011 When the Law said: &quot;The administration of corporal punishment was just, despite injury to her client.&quot; She&#8230; successfully sued the government for financial compensation. GET IN TOUCH\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/index.php\/jurist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Unity Dow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-26T12:37:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jurist2.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/\",\"name\":\"Jurist - Unity Dow\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/jurist2.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-01-10T13:55:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-26T12:37:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/jurist2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/jurist2.png\",\"width\":480,\"height\":640},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/index.php\\\/jurist\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Jurist\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Unity Dow\",\"description\":\"Championing Justice, Empowering Progress\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Unity Dow\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/udlogo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/udlogo.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"Unity Dow\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/unitydow.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Jurist - Unity Dow","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/unitydow.org\/index.php\/jurist\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Jurist - Unity Dow","og_description":"JURIST A Life in Justice Unity Dow\u2019s career as a jurist is a testament to her unwavering dedication to justice and equality. 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