Legal aid clinic opened through project on strengthening response to gender-based violence

Society
munkhzul@montsame.gov.mn
2021-06-08 15:36:47

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. The International Legal Development Organization is currently implementing a project, ‘Strengthening the Response to Gender-based Violence in Mongolia’ with financing from the Government of Canada.In the framework of the project on June 3, a legal aid clinic has been established at the University of Internal Affairs to raise legal awareness and provide primary advice to victims of gender-based violence in the nearby community. 

 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Mongolia Catherine E. Ivkoff attended the opening ceremony of the legal aid clinic and gave remarks. Highlighting that the clinic will develop community-based services, the Ambassador said to the students, “Community based services like this one are one of the effective mechanisms for reaching out to where the needs are. I hope that you will be able to gain as much experience as possible from your work in the clinic.”


“This promises to be a very rewarding start to your professional careers. Not only will you be arming yourselves with this experience but you’ll be performing a very noble service to the community. And by doing so, you will serve as models and inspirations to others,” she noted.


Opening remarks were also given by Head of the Coordination Council for Crime Prevention of Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs L.Nyamgerel. She addressed the importance of implementing the sustainability of Legal Aid Clinic and reaching out to at-risk groups and victims of domestic violence, who should benefit the most from the project.


 

A working group consisting of university professors was established to study legal aid clinic models and develop a curriculum to incorporate best practices. Approved by the administration of the University of Internal Affairs, the course began to be taught online and in class from November 2020. By refurbishing and renovating the Legal Aid Clinic classroom through the project, it becomes possible to organize practical training starting from the new academic year.