Authors : Leah Gwatimba, Nanga Raymond Raselekoane and Patrecia Mulaudzi
Abstract: Access to justice involves individuals recognizing their legal entitlements and having access to institutions that provide remedies to disputes. Rural women come across more hurdles when accessing justice than urban women. The objective of the study was to identify and highlight the challenges that rural women face when accessing justice in South Africa. The researchers employed a qualitative research method in this study. The data was collected from various secondary sources such as journal articles, internet, government and non-government organization reports as well as books. The study found that accessing justice for rural women was complicated by, among others, factors such as living under conditions of both customary and common law, poverty, lack of educational attainment and the location of institutions dispensing justice. The study also explored a number of strategies which can be put in place to enhance rural women’s access to justice in South Africa.
Leah Gwatimba, Nanga Raymond Raselekoane and Patrecia Mulaudzi, 2018. Some Challenges Faced by Rural Women in Accessing Justice in South Africa. The Social Sciences, 13: 351-356.