Judiciary Considers Special Courts for Handling GBV Cases
Participants at the National Symposium on Strengthening Access to Justice for Women and Girls in Uganda
Kampala. The Judiciary is considering establishing and maintaining special courts for handling Gender-based violence (GBV) cases.
This was contained in a speech prepared by the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine, at the National Symposium on "Strengthening Access to Justice for Women and Girls in Uganda."
He said, "Special courts guarantee timely and efficient handling of GBV cases; and ensure that court officers assigned have specialized training which minimizes stress and fatigue of such officers. Such courts are effective in that court and judicial officials have specialized skills, are gender-sensitive, maintain confidentiality and safety and often use innovative ways to expedite GBV cases and encourage early reporting by women and girls."
According to the Judiciary Fourth Strategic Investment Plan, rolling out of special courts for children and other marginalized and vulnerable groups is one of the activities that can foster access to justice.
Hon. Justice Dr. Bamwine who was the Guest of Honor at the October 26, 2017 symposium commended UN Women and it's Partners for organizing such a high level forum.
He thanked UN Women for the development and publication of a Gender Bench Book on Access to Justice by Women; conducting numerous trainings on gender generally and SGBV in particular; lobbying the passage of relevant laws and participating in the development of such laws; and raising public awareness on the subject of SGBV, among others.
Posted 27th, October 2017
