Bonita Meyersfeld

Bonita Meyersfeld serves as Professor of International Law and Human Rights at Wits Law School, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She maintains active international engagement as an advisory board member of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), while previously directing the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and co-founding Lawyers Against Abuse where she serves as chair.

Her research critically examines intersections between international legal frameworks and gender-based violence, with specialized focus on domestic violence jurisprudence. She pioneered analysis of how international human rights mechanisms can be strategically deployed to address domestic violence through state accountability, as evidenced in her seminal book 'Domestic Violence and International Law' which remains a foundational text in the field.

Her exceptional contributions were formally recognized in 2019 when French President Emmanuel Macron conferred the Order of Merit (Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite), highlighting her impactful work advancing human rights protections against gender-based violence globally.

Professor Meyersfeld's career demonstrates sustained commitment to translating legal theory into practical interventions through her leadership in Lawyers Against Abuse and strategic advisory role at ECCHR. Her work bridges academic scholarship with on-the-ground legal advocacy, particularly in developing innovative approaches to hold states accountable for domestic violence under international law.