WOJAM Laments Justice System Letting Down GBV Victims

WOJAM Laments Justice System Letting Down GBV Victims photo by Alex Banda

Women Judges Association of Malawi WOJAM has started training key justice responders concerned having noted a lack of compassion among key stakeholders handling issues and victims of gender-based violence.

Speaking when he officially opened the training on Tuesday in Nkhata Bay, High Court Judge for the Mzuzu Registry Justice Thomson Ligowe noted that victims of GBV are not fully utilizing the system because they are put off with how they are treated by the key justice responders.

Acting District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay Macsenci Chagomelana acknowledged the challenge. 

“Most of our clients fear to come and access our services because of the treatment and insensitive language used which made them feel devalued. This case management training will therefore help to address these issues,” said Chagomelana. 

High Court Judge for the Mzuzu registry Justice Thomson Ligowe said, “WOJAM observed that the system had neglected sensitivity in dealing with GBV cases which in the course left most victims put off to access the services” 

Judge Ligowe added that the training was crucial to bring back the dignity to the victims of GBV.

“We are targeting staff from the courts, health workers, police investigators and prosecutors as well as social welfare officers who is key in handling the matters, to see that there is transformation in the system to regain the loss of dignity and trust from the victims”

Police station Sergeant Esnart Moyo, pledged a change in the approach of Gender Based Violence cases.

WOJAM is training the Key Justice Responders under the auspices of the Spotlight Initiative funded by the EU and UN family aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

Spotlight Initiative is currently targeting 6 districts of Mzimba, Nkhata Bay, Machinga, Nsanje, Ntchisi and Dowa.

 

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