NAIROBI, Kenya – The Regional Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have stepped up efforts to curb the increasing number of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) incidents in East Africa.
Stung by this devastating development, Kenya is hosting a two-day regional roundtable of Directors of public prosecutions and Inspector generals of police from the Eastern Africa region on countering emerging sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) trends in the region.
This crucial workshop comes at a critical point as Directors of Public Prosecutions and Heads of Law Enforcement from the region seek to build on efforts by the countries in the region to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, especially for online and commercial sexual exploitation.
ODPP is the National Prosecution Authority established by the Constitution (Art. 157) to independently exercise State powers of prosecution.
Why more similar roundtables are needed to address SGBV
Ulrich Jaenen, Country Component lead, of Police Program Africa commended the DPP for the efforts taken by his office in tackling sexual and gender-based violence and called for more such regional roundtables to discuss ways of tackling human trafficking and sexual-based violence.
“German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) is currently focusing all efforts on addressing sexual and gender-based violence cases,” said Ulrich.
DPP steps up efforts against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Kenya is hosting a two-day regional roundtable of Directors of public prosecutions and Inspector generals of police from the Eastern Africa region on countering emerging sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV)…
The attendees include Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo (DPP Uganda), Sylvester Mwakitalu (DPP Tanzania), Mgeni Checha (DPP Zanzibar), Ramadhan Kingai (DCI Tanzania), Paul Wachira (deputy DCI Kenya), Beata Chelimo (deputy DCI Uganda), prosecutors, and representatives of civil society organizations among others.
Why SGBV is a trans-national crime in the East Africa region
Beata Chelimo Deputy Director DCI Uganda lauded the organisers of the roundtable for inviting the Directors of Criminal Investigations in the region to be part of the deliberations on regional efforts towards curbing sexual and gender-based violence.
“This crime has regenerated into a trans-national crime and concerted efforts are required to address this menace,” said Chelimo.
Mgeni Jecha, DPP Zanzibar observed that SGBV is never acceptable although it keeps increasing everywhere.
“It is not only a legal issue but also a policy issue. We should focus on fighting it rather than preventing it. We need to expand the scope by looking at both the emotional and economic violence of GBV. In East Africa, especially Zanzibar, there are different cultures, races, and traditions making the fight against GBV difficult,” said Mgeni.
