The war against gender-based violence in Kwale county is set to reach a new milestone with the launch of the first-ever Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual.
Led by the Mombasa High Court Judge Florence Macharia and Kwale Environment and Land Judge, Addraya Dena, various stakeholders from the Kwale Court Users Committee unveiled this crucial document.
The SOP aims to streamline the reporting and handling of SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) cases through a collaborative approach, ensuring that victims receive prompt and effective justice.
Judge Dena highlighted during the launch that the SOP manual will serve as a vital tool for the justice system.
"The manual is designed to enable a sensitive and appropriate response to the unique challenges posed by SGBV cases in the region," she said.
Dena said the initiative marks a significant step forward in combating gender-based violence in Kwale, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts and procedural clarity in delivering justice and support to survivors.
She highlighted the historical challenges faced by GBV victims in accessing justice due to inadequate case processing and evidence.
Dena underscored that the newly introduced SOP manual assigns clear responsibilities to each stakeholder involved.
She said the document outlines procedures for proper reporting, meticulous evidence recording and effective prosecution of GBV cases.
"The manual provides comprehensive guidelines on the specific roles that each member of the Court Users Committee (CUC) will undertake," she said.
Dena mentioned that criminal cases have a higher chance of success if managed effectively from the outset.
She also highlighted that the standard operating procedure manual clearly outlines awareness programmes to empower local communities.
Dena anticipates an increase in reporting of cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as more residents receive civic education, leading to prosecution.
The judge emphasised that the guidelines aim to prevent traditional makeshift courts and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
She, however, called on the court users committee to ensure the newly launched project becomes successfull.
"Launching and implementing are two different things. I hope we are all going to commit ourselves," she said.
International Justice Mission officer Joseph Kariuki said the SOP manual sets a foundation for improved coordination and procedural clarity in addressing GBVs in Kwale.
Kariuki said the manual seeks to address the critical need to shield women and children from continued abuse while seeking justice.
According to Kariuki, the initiative not only aims to safeguard victims but also offers clear guidelines for prosecutors and court officials.
"The SOP manual intends to prevent the re-traumatisation of children who often face distressing interrogations about their experiences," he said.
Kariuki emphasised that these standardised procedures (SOP) promise to streamline processes, ensuring quicker resolutions and improved access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
County commissioner Stephen Orinde assured proactive measures from the security team, ensuring swift arrests and robust evidence collection.
He added that the concerted effort aims to bolster efforts aimed at addressing GBV cases and offer a ray of hope in the pursuit of justice.
