On June 13, 2024, KELIN organized and supported a workshop for the Homabay County CUC which brought together relevant stakeholders to discuss ways of enhancing access to justice for survivors of SGBV in the county. The participants addressed critical issues, including the low public confidence in the judiciary due to lengthy and complex judicial processes. Additionally, significant concerns around corruption among some judicial officers, technicalities involved in the administration of justice, and the lack of clear communication or feedback channels between the judiciary and the consumers of justice were raised.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 ushered in a new era for the judicial system, establishing Court Users Committees (CUCs) at both the National and County levels. These committees provide a platform for key actors in the administration of justice and the public to participate in strengthening judicial processes and create solutions to challenges in the delivery of justice.
KELIN advocates for a rights-based approach and survivor-centered justice in the prevention and elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). We work with the judiciary to amplify voices of survivors while training judicial officers on the sensitivity required for such cases though the CUC system.
Hon. Justice Kiarie in his remarks underscored the role of CUC’s in bridging the gaps in the prevention and response to GBV cases stressing the crucial role of collaboration between judicial officers and communities in creating an enabling environment for addressing SGBV and its impact in the communities.
During the workshop, KELIN reiterated its commitment to supporting and promoting a multi-sectoral approach in the prevention and response to GBV, emphasizing the role of the justice system in tackling gender inequality.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms via @KELINKenya.
For more information, please contact: Edwine Nyanja,
Program Officer – SRHR,
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS (KELIN),
Email: edwinenyanja@kelinkenya.org
