Volunteer and Intern in Law and Human Rights in Togo

Togo: Volunteer Law & Human Rights Internships and Work Experience

Law in Togo Togo is amongst the world’s poorest countries and has received its fair share of criticism over its human rights record. Today, many local and international organizations are working to improve the situation of the poor, repressed and vulnerable within the country. Since trouble free parliamentary elections took place in October 2007, many people are confident that during the next few years Togo will make further progress in human rights and democratic governance. You can play a part in this progress by interning abroad on a Human Rights Law internship in Togo.

The international work experience you will gain while interning abroad on the Human Rights internship in Togo will undoubtedly improve your resume. This applies whether you are a gap year student looking to study law at university or a law graduate looking to gain some practical work experience abroad in human rights. Your precise role will be determined by your knowledge of law and level of interest in specific areas. International law experience is certainly something that all law firms will be pleased to see when recruiting trainees and new partners.

The main language of communication in Togo is French and speaking intermediate French is necessary to be able to participate on this internship.

Interning on a Human Rights Law Internship in Togo

Human Rights in TogoInterns in Togo work with either the Togo Human Rights Commission, an independent commission that promotes human rights or WiLDAF – Women in Law and Development in Africa.

The Human Rights Commission is based in Lomé, the capital of Togo. It receives and examines complaints about the violation of human rights. This internship offers a unique opportunity for legal work and a special cultural experience for anyone interested in the field of law and human rights.

WiLDAF is a pan-African network of organizations and individuals that exists across the continent. It promotes strategies to link law and development and works especially to increase human rights for women. Some of WiLDAF’s current aims in Togo include improving the rights of women when their marriage breaks down and encouraging more women to become politically involved.

The civil, economic and social rights of men, women and children in Togo have improved in the last decade, but there is still a long way to go. You may join programs dealing with the following issues:

  • Children’s rights
  • Women’s rights
  • Prison conditions
  • Police accountability
  • Electoral transparency

One of the main aims is to help raise awareness so that ordinary Togolese people understand their rights and what protection they are legally entitled to in certain situations. Your role in this might involve various activities such as:

  • Raising awareness in rural communities
  • Preparing leaflets, posters or educational tools
  • Running training programs
  • Planning promotional campaigns

The Human Rights Commission and WiLDAF are serious professional organizations. You may sometimes have deadlines or you may be asked to represent the organization at meetings and other events. Your work will be important for the growth of human rights in West Africa.

These projects are available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. The projects have been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the organization please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.