An initiative to establish specialised courts to hear Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases across the country has been launched.

Nalafem Collective, a platform of women activists and politicians, jointly with the Judiciary, have teamed up in efforts to end SGBV and ensure survivors have unfettered access to justice.

“We are proud to see Kenya leading implementation of the global commitments agreed upon at the Generation Equality Forums to end all forms of violence against women and girls,” Aya Chebbi, Founder and President of Nalafem Collective said during its 2nd Pan-African Summit in Nairobi.

Chebbi noted that SGBV courts are an important innovation that ensure survivors receive trauma informed justice expeditiously, fairly and with accountability.

“Through our collaboration with the Kenyan Judiciary, we aim to support the development of an SGBV Survivor Access to Justice Toolkit to inform ways in which survivors can access legal information and other elements essential to making access to justice and prevention a reality,” Chebbi added.

Nalafem, she observed, has launched an Africa-wide leadership programme to promote these innovations and support young women leaders in the field with training, capacity and funding.

On her part, Chief Justice Martha Koome said the Kenyan Judiciary, guided by its Vision for Social Transformation through Access to Justice has committed to secure dignified and trauma-responsive justice for survivors of SGBV by establishing the specialised courts, said.

“We are taking this step due to our appreciation of the reality that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a grave violation of human rights that affects millions,” she said.

Koome went on: “These crimes have a devastating impact on survivors leading to a lifetime of trauma characterised by physical, psychological and emotional harm. They also undermine social cohesion, economic development and peace in our communities.”

So far, the Judiciary has established specialised courts in Nairobi, Mombasa, Siaya and Kisumu and designated special SGBV Registries in Meru, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, Kisii, Kitale and Machakos.