By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Chief Justice, Martha Koome, has endorsed a proposal by the Committee on the Definition of Case Types for the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Court to rename the court the Gender Justice Court (Mahakama ya Haki ya Kijinsia), which reflects a survivor-centered approach.
The survivor-centred plan in the Gender Justice Court is essential as it prioritizes the rights, needs, safety, dignity, and well-being of survivors in all measures related to the prevention and response to SGBV.
According to the Chief Justice, the primary goal is to establish specialized courts that can handle cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) with both efficiency and sensitivity.
The Gender Justice Courts are a response to the pressing need for a justice system that is informed by the traumatic impacts of SGBV and prioritizes the safety, dignity and rights of survivors and those affected by these crimes.
CJ Koome stated that the judiciary is dedicated to providing survivors with comprehensive support services, such as legal aid, counselling, medical care, and social support. These services are crucial for helping survivors recover while they navigate the legal process.
“It is a matter of priority to implement the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) SGBV Strategy. Magistrates and court staff working in these courts will receive specialized training on SGBV issues,” Chief Justice Koome stated on X.
“This training will cover legal aspects, sensitivity in handling survivors, understanding the dynamics of abuse, and the importance of a supportive court environment,” the CJ added.
The Gender Justice Courts will prioritise the confidentiality and privacy of the proceedings to protect the identity and dignity of survivors.
The GJCs are expected to deliver on the judiciary’s promise to ensure people-focused justice in collaboration with other critical actors under the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ).
“Survivors should not be re-victimized through judicial processes,” Koome added on X.