Our first anniversary
The first Women's Legal Clinic in Leiden (VRWL) opened its doors on May 12, 2025. In 2025, more than 800 consultations took place and over 300 clients were provided with legal advice. Anneloes Dijkman (initiator and director of VRWL): ‘There is a need for a women's legal clinic because there is still a great deal of inequality between men and women in various areas.’
VRWL answers legal questions and provides free, no-obligation legal advice. All women living, working, or studying in Leiden or the surrounding area are welcome, regardless of their income. This also applies to trans people and non-binary individuals. Legal assistance is always free and not dependent on income.
Team
The VRWL team currently consists of 25 legal advisors (university law students), two legal experts, a director, and a project leader (also a legal expert). The legal advisors are volunteers, while the legal experts and project leader are permanently employed. The permanent staff are responsible for the content and quality of the legal advice.
Consultation Hours
The consultation hours are successful; they are even fully booked daily. VRWL holds consultation hours at the main location in the city center (in the Utopa Weeshuis), at Community Center Op Eigen Wieken in the Merenwijk, and at Het Gebouw in Leiden-Noord. After the summer, the consultation hour in Leiden-Noord will be replaced by a new consultation hour at Huis van de Buurt in the Stevenshof. An overview of all consultation hours per location can be found on this website, where appointments can also be made. Telephone or online appointments are also possible during the consultation hours.
Utopa
There is still a great deal of gender inequality, while everyone needs equal opportunities to achieve equal rights. That is why VRWL, as a new pillar within Utopa, has created a place where *all* women feel welcome and heard. The team at the Women's Legal Aid Clinic Leiden will continue to dedicate itself to all these women. Helping one person might not change the world, but it can change the world for one person.
