The Gambia will, for the first time, inaugurate a specialised Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV court next month, dedicated solely to preside over SGBV cases.
In preparations for the inauguration and operationalisation of the court, the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, in collaboration with partners, is organising a two-day residential capacity-building training for court reporters.
It is designed to equip court reporters with the skills to report SGBV proceedings accurately, professionally, and sensitively, particularly cases involving survivors, children, and other vulnerable witnesses.
Joy Michael, Programme Specialist for Gender and Gender-Based Violence at UNFPA The Gambia told The Standard that her office is supporting a government-led partnership involving the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare to strengthen access to justice for survivors.
“The support includes renovation and adaptation of court premises, provision of furniture and equipment, and capacity building for judges, police officers, medical professionals, lawyers and court support staff,” she said.
She revealed that the proposed facilities include private spaces for witnesses, while the training will strengthen ethical, gender-responsive, and survivor-friendly practices.
According to Ms Michael, a specialised court provides an opportunity to translate legal protections into a more effective response.
The court, she explained, is intended to make the justice process more responsive to the needs of survivors, with dedicated court sessions, trained personnel, and clearer procedures to help survivors navigate a system that is often intimidating and difficult to understand.
The new courtroom arrangement, which accommodates two senior judges sitting simultaneously, is expected to increase hearing capacity and reduce the backlog of cases, once staffing and facilities are in place. However, Ms Michael stressed that faster resolution will depend on adequate resources, timely investigations, and effective case management.
