On Monday April 4,2022, the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Judicial Training Institute, Hon. Justice Mike J. Chibita, presided over a high-level event to launch the Gender-based violence training manual at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
Hon. Justice Chibita who was representing the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny -Dollo, thanked everyone who was involved in the championing of the development of the Manual.
He also noted that the launch was indeed timely and would equip the Judicial Officers with the much-needed knowledge and skills to protect survivors, victims, and those at risk of GBV as well as accelerate efforts aimed at ending it.
The training manual outlines a schedule covering GBV causes, concepts, and improving access to justice for survivors among other subjects.
The Deputy Registrar of the JTI, HW Angualia Moses Gabriel who moderated the engagement thanked Dr Kremser Roswitha, the head of Austrian Development Cooperation for the invaluable support. He said without the support of Austria, there would be no manual to launch.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Hon. Lady Justice Damalie N. Lwanga shared, "this Manual for Judicial Officers falls within the mandate of the JTI,as our key function is to provide training to judicial officers. GBV is one of the priority areas for the JTI as we recognize its high prevalence in Uganda."
Hon. Lady Justice Lwanga commended Ms Beatrice Mulindwa from UN Women for her constant support to this work in developing the JTI GBV Manual.
Before the UN Women in Uganda Representative, Adekemi Ndieli, began her remarks, a moment of silence was observed for the late Susan Oregede who was instrumental in the development of the Manual.
She commended Uganda for its affirmative action. "Uganda is one of the only countries in Africa with affirmative action regarding access to justice for women."
Ms Adekemi continued, "To systematize the training of judicial officers is so important, we want to see this integrated into the curriculum of JTI. That way, anyone who goes the JTI through has the knowledge to dispense justice regarding GBV."
Dr Roswitha shared that "45% of all girls between 15 and 19 years old reported physical and sexual violence, and this figure was before the pandemic." Adding, "This work cannot be done by one institution alone. Access to justice needs the combination of the whole JLOS chain. From the investigator to the lawyer, to the court, and the prisons. We need them all!"
Court of Appeal's Hon.Lady Justice Eva Luswata, gave an overview of the GBV Training Manual. She noted, "the manual covers violence against children (VAC). Participants willunderstand the intersection between GBV & VAC, as adults fighting might not recognize that this constitutes VAC."
A cross-section of Judicial Officers, the Judiciary Under Secretary, Ms Maureen Kasande,representatives from the Swedish Embassy, CEDOVIP, JLOS, and Civil Society Organizations were in attendance.
Posted 4th, April 2022
