About SAWLA
A voluntary, non-profit, non-political organisation of women lawyers — born from a national commitment to transformation.
Founded on a Constitutional Mandate
The South African Women Lawyers Association was established in May 2006 by the then Minister of Justice, Ms Brigitte Mabandla, in consultation with a group of leading women legal minds. Its founding was a direct response to an identified gap in women’s participation in decision-making in the legal sector.
SAWLA is a networking forum for women in legal careers, aiming to promote access to justice, advocate for the advancement of women, support professional development, and contribute to national and international dialogue on gender transformation.
Today, SAWLA has active branches in all nine provinces and a membership spanning every corner of the legal profession — from law students and candidate attorneys to magistrates, advocates, and High Court judges.
We seek to empower and advance women lawyers by articulating their interests and facilitating transformation in the legal services sector and broader society to promote gender equality.
Vision
“A leading women lawyers organisation to advance the promotion of gender equality and human rights in the legal services sector and society.”
Core Values
- Gender Equality & Transformation
- Access to Justice for All
- Professional Excellence
- Solidarity & Sisterhood
- Integrity & Non-Partisanship
Active in All Nine Provinces
Each provincial branch elects its own executive and runs its own programme of action, aligned to the national mandate.