The government of Kenya has announced plans to roll out sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) courts across the country in order to seek urgent justice for victims.

Development Diaries reports that Kenya’s Chief Justice, Martha Koome, made this known during a meeting with ambassadors from Denmark and Sweden to review strategic partnerships.

Koome said that the SGBV courts will ensure tailor-made justice for victims of SGBV.

It is understood that over 40 percent of women in Kenya are likely to face physical and or SGBV including lifetime physical and or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey, 45 percent of women and girls in the country face some form of gender-based violence annually.

‘It is clear that we need to have serious training to the officers so that they are sensitive to handling the matter; we also have to deal with trauma of the victim and a lot of counselling’.

Also speaking, Danish Ambassador to Kenya, Ole Thonke, emphasised the necessity for ensuring that victims of such crimes get speedy justice in courts.

Thinke said, ‘For many, that’s the main reason why they don’t use the official justice system because after being violated physically no one is ready to take three to five years fighting for something that you may get or not get through the court system’.

On her part, Swedish Ambassador, Caroline Vicini, said her country is keen to continue supporting Kenya’s justice system through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Photo source: UNFPA