Basetsana Koitsioe is the acting executive director of Lawyers against Abuse (LvA), where she leads strategic direction, programme oversight, financial management, fundraising, and team development. Her days involve reviewing organisational updates, supporting programme implementation, meeting with staff or partners, and contributing to donor proposals and reports. She thrives on seeing the tangible impact of LvA’s work, collaborating with a passionate team, and strengthening the organisation’s growth and sustainability. Basetsana holds a Master of Laws in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa from the University of Pretoria. Her commitment to social justice began during her university years, when she ran leadership workshops for high school girls in Diepkloof. Witnessing challenges with legal dimensions inspired her to study law and specialise in human rights and gender justice. She has represented clients facing workplace sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and violations of sexual and gender minority rights. Deeply rooted in her Soweto heritage, Basetsana draws inspiration from her community, using her platform to amplify the voices of the marginalised and drive meaningful change. She has presented at international conferences on sexual and reproductive health, and was named one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Africa to Watch in 2025. Her guiding principle: “You’ve studied and listened — now it’s time to put action to knowledge.”
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Laws in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa, University of Pretoria
- Bachelor of Arts: English Literature and Political Science, Wits University
- Bachelor of Laws, Wits University
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Colloquium on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – The Role of State Actors in Addressing Obstetric Violence, presented at the University of Pretoria (May 2024)
- South-South Dialogue on Respectful Maternity Care & Obstetric Violence – Litigating Obstetric Violence in South Africa, presented at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (August 2024)
- Re-worlding Reproduction: Navigating Emerging Knowledge, Politics, and Justice, presented at the University of Pretoria (September 2024)
- Guest lecture to second-year medical students on rights and duties of patients and healthcare practitioners; topics covered included informed consent and obstetric violence, Wits Medical School (2023 and 2024)
- Recognised as one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Africa to Watch in the 2025 edition of Women Who Inspire magazine by the Institute for African Women in Law
