The Judiciary launched the National Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Court Users Committee (CUC) at the Shanzu Law Courts this afternoon.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every three women is at risk of SGBV in Kenya, while 18 percent of young boys are at risk.
In a large part, this is because of the impunity of perpetrators heightened by a history of a low number of successful prosecutions.
CJ Martha Koome said that the SGBV Courts and the bespoke CUCs are the justice sector response to this unacceptable state of affairs and, if well implemented, will certainly lead to enhanced access to justice for the victims and survivors of SGBV.
“Court Users Committees are set up as a platform to bring together stakeholders by the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) at the local court and community level.” said CJ Koome.
Further, she the establishment of the CUC is intended to reinforce the effectiveness of the SGBV Court.
This is crucial given the unique nature of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
“I urge the CUC to support public education activities in the region to ensure more victims and survivors of SGBV, mainly women and the vulnerable in the counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta access justice promptly.” concluded the Chief Justice.
