KAMPALA – A cross-section of Judicial Officers is taking part in a three-day training on the use of the revised Gender-Based Violence manual.
The training was opened by Justice Damalie N. Lwanga, the Executive Director Judicial Training Institute (JTI), who documented the impact of gender-based violence. “Gender-based violence is an abuse of human rights that continues to plague this country with adverse effects on the victims’ physical and mental health/ emotional feelings, livelihood and on the economy.”
She added that it affects child growth, development and welfare resulting in loss of lives. “We, therefore, need to ensure that the laws relating to gender-based violence are implemented.”
At least 30 participants including Judges, representatives from CEDOVIP, JLOS and DPP are being trained as trainers.
Justice Lwanga commended Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), UN Women, H/W Jackline Kagoya and H/W Christine Nantege and Lisa Churcher, from the Australia Family Court, for reviewing the Training manual.
The training has been organised by the JTI in partnership with UN Women and CEDOVIP.
The Judge emphasized that cases of gender-based violence must be handled efficiently and effectively in the justice system in order to give hope and confidence to the population.
The UN Women Representative, Ms. Beatrice Mulindwa, said the training would equip and build the capacity of the participants with training skills, particularly in gender-based violence.
She urged the JTI to reflect on the need to have a pool of trainers on gender equality and GBV who can always be called upon to conduct the trainings.
Ms. Tina Musuya, the Executive Director of CEDOVIP advised on the need to formalise and standardize the trainings.
“It is also important that the partners in civil society know about this manual so that if they are coming in with resources then they should closely work with the Institute to roll out the training,” she said.
The training is facilitated by Justice Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa, Justice David Batema, H/W Jackline Kagoya, H/W Christine Nantege, Ms Lisa Churcher a consultant and Mr. Paul Bbuibwa from CEDOVIP among others.
Among the topics discussed are; introduction to Gender-based violence, GBV causes and concepts, manifestations of Gender-based violence, international, regional and domestic framework, Uganda Legal Framework overview among others.
