sibongile mokapane

Sibongile a passionate human rights lawyer specializing in women and children's rights, digital rights, and gender issues. With an LLB and an LLM degree, she is an advocate admitted to practice and currently working as an advocacy specialist at Politics4Her, focusing on the Women's Leadership and Political Participation portfolio. Sibongile's dedication to justice extends beyond her professional life. She is deeply committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by women and children, using her expertise in human rights law to advocate for their rights. Through her legal skills, advocacy efforts, and unwavering commitment, Sibongile strives to create positive change in her community and contribute to a more equitable society.

Advocacy Specialist in Women's Leadership and Political Participation at Politics4Her

March 2023 - current
Developing and reviewing policy briefs on topics of women’s leadership and political participation, climate justice, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender based violence, digital rights (inclusion, access and safety) in the African and SWANA region (Egypt, Lesotho, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe), ·Supporting grant writing, ·Developing data collection tools, ·Literature review, data collection and analysis from surveys, ·Trainings and facilitation of workshops, ·Supporting digital advocacy on women’s rights and gender issues in African and SWANA countries, ·Supporting development of online advocacy strategies.

Research Consultant for Fact finding Report on Lesotho’s implementation on CEDAW at Federation of Women Lawyers –Lesotho (FIDA
Developed and disseminated data collection tools, Desk based research on women’s land rights (access, acquisition and ownership), Constitutional law and customary law principles on inheritance, and other gender relevant legal frameworks. Conducting interviews with stakeholders, Draft report and effect recommendations, Submitted report with communication to United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls
Aug 2022- March 2023
 

Consultant for Lesotho Periodic (Combined) Report on CEDAW 
Aug 2022
United Nations Development Program - Lesotho Desk-based research on Lesotho’s policy, national strategies and legal frameworks on protection and promotion of women’s rights, ·Enquiry and interviewing stakeholders (government institutions, NGOs,, CSOs, Traditional Leaders,  and Women  with various social roles and identities) for data collection, ·Supporting drafting of the State party report under Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Legal and Programmes Officer  at  Women and Law in Southern Africa Research Trust- Lesotho (WLSA) Sep 2020-Dec 2020
Coordinated and lead of the UN Women African Leaders Women Network (ALWN) project on Women, Peace and Security,  Legal  Unit support- litigation, legal consultations, mediations, pre-trial conferences, drafting of court processes, Research support on the following reports: the Impact of COVID-19 on the Socio-Economic Rights Women; Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harassment (GBVSH) in the Nieng Hsing Group factories; and GBVSH and other labour malpractices in the textile industry of Lesotho, Donor Reporting on the implementation of the Advancing Rights in Southern Africa (ARISA) project on the Impact of COVID 19 on the land rights of Basotho women.   Supporting events and workshop logistics and management, Fostering cooperation and relations between stakeholders and implementing partners.
 

Legal Officer  at  SheHive Association
Jan 2020- Sep 2020
Legal support - consultations on domestic issues (marriage, custody, child maintenance, and inheritance to survivors of GBV), Legal administration- Drafting articles of agreements, contracts, and memorandums,   Supporting advocacy for access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and mobilization of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW)for the JHPIEGO USAID Project, Developing advocacy strategies on domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and violence against women and girls under the GIZ PfP project, Projects Communications support,   Event and workshop organizing and facilitation,   Grant writing to International Cooperative Partners (ICP) and/or with Consortium Partners,   Review and Drafting internal and external concept notes, agendas and budget overviews.
 

Office Administrator at Women and Law in Southern Africa Research Trust- Lesotho (WLSA)    
Jun 2013 to Jul 2014
Office correspondence (phone call, letters and emails)  Database management,   Keeping a court calendar for court appearances,   Keeping activity calendar on workshops, fieldwork, and other external activities,  Support and logistics of fieldwork, workshops, and trainings to be hosted by the organization,   Monitoring & Evaluation support of projects European Union funded Project in 3 districts,  Welcoming clients, potential clients, sponsors, and partners into the office,   Programs Department support in analyzing, recording, and entry of data of the Global Fund Project,   Support to the Finance and Administration Department(invoices, quotes, checks, petty cash and other accounting books),   Typing, Printing, and editing materials requir

MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M IN HUMAN RIGHTS

BACHELOR OF LAWS (LL.B)