The Justice for Her project was officially launched at the High Court Conference Hall in Kampala
Date:
Kampala, Uganda – 24th February 2024 – The Justice for Her project was officially launched at the High Court Conference Hall in Kampala, marking a significant step towards improving access to justice for women and girls in Uganda. The initiative aims to address legal barriers faced by survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and to strengthen gender-responsive justice mechanisms across the country.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Judiciary, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, civil society organizations, development partners, and community justice actors. The Principal Judge, Dr. Flavian Zeija, officiated the launch and reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment to advancing gender-responsive legal systems.
In his keynote address, Dr. Zeija emphasized the need for an inclusive justice system that protects the rights of all citizens, particularly women and girls who face systemic challenges in accessing legal remedies.
“Justice must be accessible, fair, and responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. The Justice for Her project is a crucial intervention in ensuring that survivors of gender-based violence receive the support and legal assistance they deserve,” he stated.
The Justice for Her project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Judiciary to efficiently manage GBV cases by improving case prioritization, allocation, and information technology use in case management. It will also enhance legal literacy, build the capacity of judicial officers, and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that ensure timely and survivor-centered justice.
Funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation, the project will be implemented by UN Women in partnership with legal aid providers and women’s rights organizations. It will focus on the High Court Circuits of Masaka, Gulu, and Nebbi Magistrates’ Courts.
Speaking at the launch on behalf of UN Women Uganda Country Representative, Paulina Chiwangu, Natasha Butorac, UN Women’s Programme Specialist, highlighted the significance of the project in strengthening Uganda’s justice response to GBV and ensuring women and girls access justice.
“We thank the Austrian Development Cooperation, the Judiciary in Uganda, and all partners. Access to justice is not a privilege—it’s a right! The Justice for Her project will reduce case backlog, enhance victim support, and improve legal outcomes for GBV survivors. This is a step closer to justice for all,” Butorac stated.
She also pointed out that delays in the justice system deny justice to many women and girls, with GBV cases in Uganda taking an average of 919 days to resolve. The project will fast-track GBV case disposal and improve survivor-centered approaches.
Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer, Head of the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation Office in Uganda, emphasized that survivors should no longer have to wait years for justice.
“This project institutionalizes daily GBV hearings, ensuring timely and fair case resolution. We want to ensure survivors are heard and cases are resolved without delay. No more waiting, no more impunity,” she said.
The launch event was also attended by judges, judicial officers, and key stakeholders in the justice sector, underscoring a collective commitment to strengthening gender-responsive legal frameworks in Uganda.