Young lawyers decry sexual harassment
In a growing chorus of discontent, young lawyers in Uganda have raised serious concerns over poor working conditions and rampant sexual harassment in their workplaces.
These issues, they argue, are undermining their professional growth and overall well-being.
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Young lawyers, defined as those with one to five years of practice, have reported being subjected to paltry salaries, with some earning as little as shs200,000 per month.
Despite their professional qualifications and the high expectations placed upon them, many are forced to accept these meager wages in a bid to sustain themselves in an increasingly competitive field.
The situation is further exacerbated by allegations of sexual harassment, particularly among female lawyers, who claim that some senior colleagues demand sexual favors in exchange for better pay or career advancement.
This distressing trend has sparked outrage and a call for urgent reforms within the legal profession.
In response to these challenges, the young lawyers have come together to form a new advocacy group, the Young Lawyers Network.
This organization aims to collectively fight for their rights and address the pressing issues they face in their profession.
Among their top concerns are the lack of formal employment contracts, an often prolonged enrollment process, and the overall disregard for their welfare by some employers.
While the Young Lawyers Network is set to operate under the umbrella of the Uganda Law Society (ULS)—the body that represents all practicing lawyers in the country—its members believe that their specific grievances have not been adequately addressed by the existing structures.
As such, they are in the process of drafting a formal document that will outline their concerns and demands, which they plan to present to the ULS for further action.
The formation of the Young Lawyers Network marks a significant step in the quest for better working conditions, fair compensation, and a harassment-free environment in Uganda's legal profession.
The group hopes that through collective action, they can bring about meaningful change and secure a more just and equitable future for all young lawyers in the country.
