This article examines the concept of access to justice and the challenges vulnerable and marginalised groups encounter in accessing justice. The article further discusses the recognition of access to justice as human rights imperative under international and regional human rights instrument. It then discusses barriers to access to justice for women. It argues that while access to justice remains a challenge for many vulnerable and marginalised groups, women particularly encounter serious barriers to access to justice in society. Furthermore, it discusses the notion of legal empowerment and the significance of this for the realisation of access to justice for vulnerable groups, especially women in disadvantaged communities. This is followed by the discussion on the experience of the Dullah Omar Institute in providing legal empowerment training for women in informal settlements in Cape Town and some of the, important lessons from this process. It concludes by making useful recommendations in ensuring access to justice for vulnerable women in informal settlements.

中文翻译：

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法律赋权作为在南非获得司法救助的工具

本文探讨了诉诸司法的概念以及弱势和边缘化群体在诉诸司法时遇到的挑战。本文进一步讨论了国际和区域人权文书承认诉诸司法是人权当务之急。然后讨论了妇女诉诸司法的障碍。它认为，虽然诉诸司法仍然是许多弱势和边缘化群体面临的挑战，但妇女在社会上诉诸司法方面尤其遇到严重障碍。此外，它还讨论了法律赋权的概念及其对弱势群体，尤其是弱势社区妇女获得司法救助的重要性。随后讨论了 Dullah Omar 研究所在为开普敦非正规住区的妇女提供法律赋权培训方面的经验以及该过程中的一些重要经验教训。最后，它提出了有用的建议，以确保非正规住区的弱势妇女获得司法救助。