Civil Society Network pledges support for newly launched SGBV court

By Peter Ochieng

Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Network team leader Betty Okero has pledged maximum support, for newly launched Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) court in Kisumu.

Speaking during the launch of e-filling system and SGBV court on Friday, Okero said its availability is a milestone that they do not take for granted.

"One of the reasons why the court is so important for us, it is because the judiciary has also taken notice of the impact of the increasing cases of SGBV," said Okero.

She added, "But also there is a statement that is being made. The message is that we are very serious about fighting sexual gender based violence. That we are very serious about addressing impunity."

"And most importantly, we are very serious about ensuring that there's access to justice for the survivors," she said.

She said that through the court, SGBV survivors will be known and their voices heard.

On her part, Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Karambu Koome who presided over the launch said the SGBV court in Kisumu is testament of their resolve to safeguard the dignity of the most vulnerable in society.

"This problem of SGBV has bothered countries of the world. Even when we meet in the forum of Chief Justices we ponder over it. How can we deal with it, because it is a problem," said the CJ.

The SGBV court in Kisumu is the third to be launched in the country, after Shanzu in Mombasa and Siaya.

Koome said the one in Shanzu was established as a pilot.

However, the ones in Siaya and Kisumu were necessitated by high number of SGBV cases in the two Lake Victoria counties.