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GBV fast track court launched in Chinsali

Chinsali, June 13, 2024, ZANIS — Court of Appeal Justice, Anessie Banda has thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the governments of Ireland and Sweden for their collective resolve in assisting Zambia to combat and end Gender-based violence (GBV).

Justice Banda was speaking when she represented Chief Justice Mumba Malila during the launch of the user-friendly fast-track court aimed at addressing GBV cases in Chinsali.

She said the judiciary is excited by the initiative of the cooperating partners to establish a GBV user-friendly court in Chinsali, as it will streamline the judicial process in GBV cases and ensure that justice is promptly delivered for victims.

“We in the judiciary system are delighted by this initiative and continue to profusely thank the cooperating partners,” she said.

Justice Banda, who chairs the judiciary advisory committee on gender and development, described the launch of the Chinsali GBV fast-track court as a significant milestone in the fight against the vice.

“It means that we now have a court of this nature in each of the 10 provinces of this great country,” she said.

She however, stated that the cruel paradox of this approach to resolve GBV matters in family settings tends to diminish the severity of the GBV cases while victims are also denied protection from future abuse.

Justice Banda explained that the GBV fast-track courts are designed to be user friendly and will help expedite the judicial process in GBV cases, ensuring that justice is granted to the victims.

Justice Banda also alluded to the steps being taken to strengthen the existing judicial framework as part of the resolve to ensure the success of the GBV fast track courts.

According to Justice Banda, a law was passed last December that established GBV courts as a specialized division in the subordinate court system.

These courts are domiciled in the Chief Justice’s office and are authorized to make regulations by Statutory Instruments for the efficient carrying out of their objectives.

She added that the court system alone is not enough to end GBV and urged for enhanced sensitisation of the community, especially victims who are also not aware of the civil remedies available in the anti-GBV Act.

Speaking at the same event, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali said the opening of the anti-GBV fast track court in Chinsali marks the celebration of one of the many achievements of the GRZ-UN Joint Programme on GBV Phase II, to respond to the GBV challenge.

She commended the Gender Division in collaboration with the Judiciary, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and partners, with technical support from the UN family, on the revision of the National Gender Policy.

Ms Mutali also noted that in Chinsali, GRZ-UN Joint Programme on GBV has facilitated comprehensive support to GBV Services, including a village-led one stop centre launched last year in August.

She said the joint programme has also helped establish a temporary safe shelter that is being led by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in the district.

“All these efforts will contribute to addressing ongoing challenges that survivors of violence against women and girls face in accessing integrated services,” she said.

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