EAC Women Lawyers Advocate for Cross-Border Practice Agreement

Women legal professionals within the East African Community (EAC) are intensifying efforts to expedite the signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). This proposed agreement aims to significantly reduce hurdles for lawyers seeking to practice across different EAC member states, a move they believe is crucial for enhancing regional trade and legal integration.

Ms. Pheona Nabasa, Executive Director of the Fidelis Leadership Institute and former President of the Uganda Law Society, highlighted that the lack of a formalized MRA continues to impede cross-border legal practice. “Cross-border practice right now is still very difficult because we have not signed what they call the mutual recognition agreement,” she stated.

According to Ms. Nabasa, the MRA would serve to harmonize the diverse regulations governing legal practitioners within the region. It would also establish a framework for reciprocity among the various legal systems and professional regulatory bodies. She urged bar associations, law councils, legal regulators, and Attorneys General across the EAC to prioritize the finalization of this critical agreement.

Ms. Nabasa made these remarks during the launch of a new partnership between the Fidelis Leadership Institute and the Rwanda Bar Association, an initiative designed to bolster the involvement of women in the legal profession. During the event, she also touched upon the distinct challenges women lawyers encounter in leadership roles, noting they are often subject to different societal expectations and judgments compared to their male counterparts.

In contrast, Rwanda Bar Association President Moise Nkundabarashi reported a positive trend in Rwanda, where the number of women lawyers has surged to approximately 600. He characterized this growth as a clear indicator of enhanced access, participation, and professional opportunities for female advocates in the country.

This push for easier cross-border practice by EAC women lawyers is part of ongoing efforts to foster greater regional legal cooperation. For more details, consult the original report from the Daily Monitor.