. MAMBILIMA

By PASSY HAACHIZO –
CHIEF Justice Irene Mambilima has launched the first-ever gender-based violence (GBV) fast track court in Zambia which is expected to expedite the presiding of GBV cases in Zambia.
Ms Justice Mambilima said when she launched the court in Kabwe yesterday that the fast track court would mitigate challenges and injustices experienced by victims of GBV.
“When it comes to gender-based violence, particularly in cases to do with a child or a woman, Zambia is at liberty to protect its citizens against GBV.
However, the judicial system alone is not enough and concerted efforts from stakeholders are needed,” she said.
Ms Justice Mambilima noted that failure to fight GBV would leave a negative indelible scar on victims’ lives and called on everyone to join the fight.
She said the rule of law and access to justice were cornerstones of the mandate of the judicial systems in the fight against GBV.
United Nations (UN) resident coordinator, Janet Rogan said the GBV cases and sexual crimes were shockingly high in Zambia.
“According to the Zambia Police report in the third quarter of 2015, a total of 4,951 GBV cases were reported countrywide in three months,” she said.
Ms Rogan said 57 cases of rape were recorded of which 20 happened in a single month, 15 attempted rape cases and 14 cases of incest.
She said the opening of the fast track court in Kabwe, which is also the first-ever in the Southern African region, was expected to reduce the vice.
Ms Rogan said the non-existence of a fast track court was a burden on the judicial system as cases took time to be heard in the courts of law.