OUR WORK

Lawyers Without Borders has worked across multiple regions to improve legal protections for children, particularly in areas of child labor, trafficking, and exploitation. In Kenya, LWOB created the country’s first child-friendly interview room, which has already supported six child victims in recording trauma-informed testimony—an innovation praised by international law enforcement for its design and function. LWOB has also helped educate prosecutors about trauma-informed practices and wellness, particularly in cases involving child trafficking and exploitation. 

 In Liberia, LWOB played a key role in shaping regulations on hazardous labor for children and supported the government’s ratification of the ILO Minimum Age Convention.  

 In Thailand, guidance developed by LWOB was used by law enforcement to rescue child victims in a forced labor raid and to enhance detection of trafficking at border crossings.  

In Argentina and Paraguay, LWOB facilitated national-level improvements in victim identification through protocols that strengthened coordination between law enforcement and social services.  

LWOB has significantly advanced the capacity of justice sector actors to identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking and related offenses, including wildlife trafficking.  

In Tanzania and Zanzibar, LWOB has trained over 160 prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and judicial stakeholders and supported the government in identifying nearly 200 trafficking victims. These efforts led to over a dozen new investigations and multiple prosecutions, including cases resulting in plea agreements and court-ordered compensation for victims. LWOB’s support has included the development of victim protection mechanisms, case-based mentoring, and regional cooperation with Uganda and Kenya.  

Additionally, LWOB has built capacity among wildlife officers, prosecutors, and judges in Kenya and Tanzania to investigate and prosecute transnational wildlife crime, including training over 200 legal professionals through mock trial competitions and staged simulations. 

LWOB has been a leading partner in helping governments strengthen legal institutions, improve transparency, and uphold justice in fragile and transitioning states.  

In Ukraine, LWOB has supported the analysis of dozens of domestic war crimes verdicts and provided training for Ukrainian judges and prosecutors in processing the more than 65,000 registered war crimes cases. Efforts to address judicial vacancies and bolster anti-corruption mechanisms are ongoing, with support from law firms and civil society.  

In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, LWOB is helping the government develop and implement its first national security framework and strategy, establishing a new Office of National Security.  

In Kenya, LWOB has supported the development of a public prosecutor training institute and trained hundreds of prosecutors in counterterrorism, trial advocacy, and complex case management. This has included the creation of 15 legal training modules and a digital case tracking system that supports long-term institutional improvement. 

In response to the displacement of Afghan legal professionals following the 2021 crisis, LWOB has helped over 100 Afghan lawyers, judges, and law graduates transition into the U.S. job market, with nearly half of all participants securing employment and others enrolling in advanced degree programs or sitting for the bar exam. These efforts have been complemented by mentorship and legal training to ensure continuity of professional identity and access to justice careers.  

In a separate initiative, LWOB is mentoring over 70 Afghan female law and Sharia students who have been excluded from education under Taliban rule, helping them stay engaged in legal study and advocacy.  

To promote safer migration and labor rights, LWOB worked with Kenyan ministries to strengthen oversight of labor recruitment to the Gulf States. This involved legal framework analysis, policy development, and training sessions with dozens of government officers and policy leaders. These steps have helped promote ethical labor migration pathways and deter illegal recruitment practices. 

Across regions and program areas, LWOB works to strengthen human rights and ensure equitable access to justice.  

In Tanzania, LWOB is working to increase the representation of women in policing and their leadership in anti-trafficking enforcement.  

The organization has supported Afghan women lawyers and law students who have been banned from education and work, creating mentorship and skill-building pathways for continued engagement with the legal field.  

In Kenya, LWOB has developed legal literacy tools, including graphic novels and guides for women navigating the justice system, and has embedded trauma-informed practices in prosecution. These efforts reflect LWOB’s broader commitment to gender equity, legal empowerment, and inclusion of vulnerable populations within legal systems.