LHRC achieves record growth in providing legal aid, reaching 29,491 clients in 2023—empowering communities across Tanzania.

On August 20, 2024, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) launched its first Legal Aid 2023 Report at the Protea Hotel in Dar es Salaam. During the launch, Dr. Anna Henga, Executive Director of LHRC, mentioned that the organization experienced significant growth and expansion, reaching a record-breaking total of 29,491 clients in 2023, marking a substantial increase from the 18,294 clients served in 2022. This solidifies LHRC's position as the leading NGO Legal Aid Provider in Tanzania. However, women continue to be significantly fewer compared to male clients, with the percentages being 35% women and 65% men.

Dr. Henga also highlighted that LHRC successfully reached a total of 864 clients (87% male and 13% female) during mobile legal aid visits to prisons. The prisons visited were Kisongo in Arusha, Isanga in Dodoma, and Ukonga and Segerea prisons in Dar es Salaam.

"Strategic litigation, as one of the advocacy tools for LHRC, has been used to reform laws, policies, and practices. LHRC has been utilizing local and regional courts in conducting strategic litigation and addressing human rights violations," emphasized Advocate Fulgence Massawe, Director of Advocacy and Reforms.

Dr. Henga further noted that through its paralegal units, LHRC assisted 254 clients, with a gender distribution of 35% male and 65% female, and is currently handling 22 ongoing cases in various courts and tribunals. She expressed optimism about the impact of LHRC’s efforts, which are reflected in the diverse communities they serve, with clients coming from regions both near and far from LHRC’s legal aid offices. This underscores the vital role LHRC plays in providing legal aid to individuals across Tanzania, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status.

During this reporting period, LHRC provided legal aid services to clients, with the majority coming from regions where its legal aid offices are located or nearby areas. Most clients came from Dar es Salaam (38%), Arusha (23%), Kilimanjaro (11%), Morogoro (7%), Dodoma and Manyara (6%), and Pwani (5%).

Through its mobile legal aid services in prisons, LHRC successfully reached a total of 864 clients (87% male and 13% female). The prisons visited included Kisongo in Arusha, Isanga in Dodoma, and Ukonga and Segerea prisons in Dar es Salaam. The inmates were assisted by being empowered to defend their cases before the respective courts, provided with legal advice, and followed up on their challenging issues, particularly those struggling to obtain copies of their judgments and removal orders.