BY SAM ALFAN & THOMAS KARIUKI.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has endorsed a proposal to change the name of the gender court to reflect a survivor centered approach.
As per recommendation of the Committee on Definition of Case Types for Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Chief Justice Koome validated the name Gender Justice Court (Mahakama ya Haki ya Kijinsia).
According the Chief Justice, the renaming of the court places the rights, needs, safety, dignity and well-being of survivors at the centre of all prevention and response measures concerning SGBV.
She said that the overarching aim is to have specialised courts designed to address cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) efficiently and sensitively.
These courts are a response to the pressing need for a justice system that is informed by the traumatic impacts of SGBV and prioritises the safety, dignity and rights of survivors and those affected by these crimes.
The goal is for the 12 gazetted Gender Justice Courts countrywide to be equipped with facilities that ensure the comfort and safety of survivors.
The Judiciary is also committed to facilitating access to comprehensive support services for survivors, including 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 specialised training on SGBV issues.
This training will cover legal aspects, sensitivity in handling survivors, understanding the dynamics of abuse, and the importance of a supportive court environment.
The aim is also for the court personnel to receive requisite counselling before, during and after hearing these matters.
The Gender Justice Courts will prioritise the confidentiality and privacy of the proceedings to protect the identity and dignity of survivors.
These courts 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-victimised through judicial processes.
