When we talk about ‘public safety,’ we rarely talk about what actually keeps people safe: strong communities, basic needs met, and systems that heal instead of harm. Senator Kim Pate is a lifelong advocate for criminal legal reform. She’s worked both on the frontlines with women inside Canadian prisons and in the Senate advancing policy change. Kim makes a clear case for shifting resources from punishment to community and building the supports that prevent criminalisation in the first place.

To learn more about some of the issues touched upon in this episode, visit www.womenbeyondwalls.org/kim

Follow Women Beyond Walls:

On Instagram: instagram.com/womenbeyondwalls

On Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/women-beyond-walls/

On BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x4hfl72t7456bi2w2ocajb6c

In Iran, under the country’s “blood money” laws, even in death, women are valued less. And for those facing the death penalty, discrimination runs deep from child marriage to poverty and domestic violence.

Today’s guest is Leila, a British-Iranian human rights advocate with Iran Human Rights, an organization fighting to abolish the death penalty. Leila reveals how Iran’s justice system is used as a tool of repression against women and why international solidarity can literally save lives.

To learn more about some of the issues touched upon in this episode, visit www.womenbeyondwalls.org/leila

Learn more about Iran Human Rights:

https://www.iranhr.net

Follow Women Beyond Walls:

On Instagram:instagram.com/womenbeyondwalls

On Linkedin:linkedin.com/company/women-beyond-walls/

On BlueSky:bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x4hfl72t7456bi2w2ocajb6c

Today Lawyer and human rights advocate Nicolás Laino discusses how poverty, violence, and inequality contribute to women’s criminalization. He shares stories from his work as a public defender in Argentina, the importance of early, gender-sensitive legal aid, and how lawyers and policymakers can better support women behind bars. Nicolás also highlights global efforts to train legal professionals and include people with lived experience in shaping justice.

To learn more about some of the issues touched upon in this episode, visit womenbeyondwalls.org/nicolas

Photo essay - women in prison in Argentina - drug offences: theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/07/argentina-drug-offences-women-jails-photo-essay

Grassroots Justice Network: grassrootsjusticenetwork.org

UN Legal Aid Principles and Guidelines:

penalreform.org/issues/pre-trial-justice/4716-2/legal-aid-principles-guidelines/

https://legalempowermentfund.org

The Woman in the Line movie:

imdb.com/title/tt27698095/

Follow Women Beyond Walls

On Instagram: instagram.com/womenbeyondwalls

On Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/women-beyond-walls/

On BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/did:plc:x4hfl72t7456bi2w2ocajb6c