Judge roots for gender-sensitive Judiciary

By Michael Odeng

Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine has recommended regular training for judicial officers to ensure that they skilfully handle gender issues in courts of law.

“The Judiciary should appoint skilful people so that every case appearing before a judicial officer is seen through gender lenses,” Bamwine said.

Speaking during the launch of the Judiciary gender policy and strategy at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday, Bamwine urged the Judiciary to introduce gender-based legal training in the curriculum of the Judicial Studies Institute.

He also advocated for the appointment of progressive and gender-sensitive judicial officers to the High Court and other superior courts so as to develop a gender-specific jurisprudence.

Bamwine also called for the reconstruction of court buildings to make them gender friendly.

He said the buildings should, for example, have a place where mothers can breast-feed babies.

Steven Kavuma, the acting deputy Chief Justice, who launched the policy, said it provides for affirmative action and sets a programme to outlaw customs, traditions and practices that undermine the welfare, dignity and interest of people.

While quoting Article 33 of the Constitution, Kavuma said: “We shall provide facilities and opportunities necessary for enhancing the welfare of women so that they are able to realise their full potential.”

Henrik Larsen, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, said women have less access to the judicial services than men in Uganda because of financial constraints and low levels of education.

Larsen said most women are unable to get judicial services because of poverty.

He urged judicial officers to implement the policy.