Former United States Supreme Court Justice and women’s rights advocate Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Justice Ginsburg firmly believed that women provide vital contributions in all academic and professional fields, none more so than that of the law.
Internationally, especially in sub-Sarahan Africa, there has been a rise in the number of women lawyers and appointed heads of judiciaries1. This stems from a growing perspective that diversity in the legal profession is key to improving every justice system, as it leads to varied viewpoints, promotes inclusion, and ensures equitable legal protection and access.
Despite the relatively recent shift towards gender equality in the field of law, it still comes as a surprise to many to learn that Catholic sisters can and do serve as lawyers. Most commonly, sister lawyers specialize in the areas of canon or civil law. Civil lawyers practice law in government based courts (i.e., contract law, property law, etc.), while canon lawyers practice law for the Catholic Church’s tribunal system (i.e., marriage annulments, church law, etc.)2.
Since 2015, ASEC has supported 26 sisters to achieve educational credentials in the faculty of law—22 via Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) and 4 via the ASEC Scholarship Program. Of these sisters, 6 have studied at the masters level (4 canon law and 2 law), 13 at the bachelor’s level (11 law and 2 civil law), 6 at the diploma level (5 law and 1 civil law), and 2 at the certificate level (2 law). To date, 17 of these sisters have graduated with their certificates, diplomas, and/or degrees and are now serving in ministries related to their area of study.
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Sr. Petronila Cosmas Chuma, CICM, Scholarship & HESA alum, serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Mwenge Catholic University.
Sr. Idda Emmanuel Mfoi of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro (CDNK) in Tanzania was the first sister to be supported by ASEC to study law in 2015. Sr. Idda’s successful completion of her Diploma in Law under the ASEC Scholarship Program, piloted the way for sisters to complete similar degrees in the years to come. Sr. Idda is now an Assistant Lecturer of Law at HESA partner institution Mwenge Catholic University. She reports that her participation in the ASEC Scholarship Program provided the bridge she needed to continue her education with the support of her congregation and become a lecturer.
Serving alongside Sr. Idda at Mwenge Catholic University is Sr. Petronila Cosmas Chuma of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters (CICM), who is also an Assistant Lecturer of Law. Sr. Petronila graduated from ASEC’s Scholarship Program at the Form V and VI levels in 2016 from the Bigwa Secondary School. She then went on to complete the HESA program, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Saint Augustine University in 2021. With the support of her congregation, she eventually earned a Master of Laws, specializing in land conveyance and economics, which are the areas she teaches in today. Sr. Petronila dreams to continue her education and hopes to earn a PhD in Laws sometime in the future. It is with the dedication of women like Sr. Idda and Sr. Petronila to prepare highly ethical lawyers, that challenges to the rule of law and corruption will be overcome.
Sr. Sabina Awutu, SGN, serves as a lawyer at the Bethania Catechetical Centre in Babati Manyara, Tanzania.
Not all ASEC faculty of law alumnae teach upon graduation, some do enter active law practice. Sr. Sabina Benedict Awutu Gadiye of the Servants of the Good News Sisters (SGN) serves as a lawyer at the Bethania Catechetical Centre in Babati Manyara, Tanzania. Sr. Sabina is a three time graduate of ASEC programs—earning a Certificate in Law in 2020 from the ASEC Scholarship Program, a Diploma in Law in 2023, and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Law program as part of HESA.
Sr. Sabina reports using the knowledge and skills she gained from the Scholarship and HESA programs to aid the Gorowa Tribe in Dodoma, Tanzania. She stated that, “according to their culture and customs women were working in various areas like farming, keeping animals, nursing children, and housekeeping. However, they were neglected in possessing lands inherent; inheritance passed only through male lineage, and it was custom that girls should belong to their husband`s clan once married.” To address this issue, Sr. Sabina initiated a program to enlighten them on law that guaranteed equality in land ownership. In accordance with section 3(20) of the Land Act of 1999, Sr. Sabina advocated that “the right of every woman to acquire, hold, use and deal with land shall be on the same basis and conditions as men” and section 20(1), which prohibits discrimination in land, especially by family or custom.
Sr. Sabina and program participants in village.
Further, Sr. Sabina feels that, “In a world marked by legal complexities, particularly around issues such as human rights, family justice, and Church governance, sisters with legal training can offer both spirituality sensitivity and competence. A law degree allows sisters to bring the voice of gospel into the secular legal system, while also helping the Church remain faithful to its mission of justice and integrity. Whether in civil or canon laws, this knowledge empowers us to uphold the dignity of the person, protect the vulnerable, and ensure the Church serves in good with compassion and fairness.”
Sr. Idda, Sr. Petronila, and Sr. Sabina are just three examples of Catholic sisters utilizing law degrees to assist their communities. ASEC is proud to support these strong women who, given their education and training, have the potential to advocate for justice, drive social change, influence public policy, and empower individuals and communities most in need. It is clear that Catholic sisters’ have important perspectives and can make a difference in interpreting the rule of law for the Church and society.
