UNODC Launches GBV Prosecutor Handbook in Lusaka for International Women's Day

Lusaka, Zambia, 7 March 2024 - UNODC ROSAF collaborated with the National Prosecution Authority in Zambia to commemorate International Women’s Day 2024 by launching the ‘Training of Trainers Handbook for Prosecutors on the Management of Gender-based Violence cases’ developed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors to efficiently handle gender-based violence cases.

Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), stated in his opening remarks that although both women and men experience gender-based violence, most of the victims are women and girls with men largely the perpetrators. For the country to stem the tide of this scourge of violence, a strong criminal justice sector should be anchored in a multisectoral approach to implement the law. He further referred to GBV as a cancer that must be uprooted from society as it results in suffering for women, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm.

Some of the speakers during the launch of the GBV Prosecutor Handbook.

<span style="color: #888888;"><span class="ui-provider ed bfo bfp bfq bfr bfs bft bfu bfv bfw bfx bfy bfz bga bgb bgc bgd bge bgf bgg bgh bgi bgj bgk bgl bgm bgn bgo bgp bgq bgr bgs bgt bgu bgv">Representatives from National Prosecutions Authority of Zambia, UNODC, IOM, UNDP and the Permanent Secretary of the Gender Division</span></span>

Representatives from National Prosecutions Authority of Zambia, UNODC, IOM, UNDP and the Permanent Secretary of the Gender Division

Dr. Linda Naidoo emphasised that the launch of the Handbook serves not only as a beacon of hope but as a rallying cry for the equality and inclusion of all to access justice.

‘The Handbook for Prosecutors represents not just a legal document but a roadmap to justice and healing. Its pages are imbued with the collective wisdom from national, regional, and international experts, and present the unwavering determination of those who refuse to turn a blind eye to injustice.

UNODC's Dr Linda Naidoo delivering goodwill remarks.

It empowers prosecutors with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the complexities of these cases with compassion and diligence, ensuring that survivors are heard, believed, and supported every step of the way.’

Dr. Naidoo concluded her remarks by expressing her appreciation for the partnership with Zambia.

As the Handbook was unveiled and launched, the DPP extended his heartfelt gratitude to UNODC for their technical and financial support in its drafting and printing.

‘As we unveil this Handbook for Prosecutors, I wish to reiterate our resolute commitment to standing with survivors and championing a society free from gender-based violence.’

He concluded by stating that the Handbook champions a practice for standardisation among prosecutors, ensuring consistency and certainty in the legal application. It empowers prosecutors as they argue their cases in court to utilise international legal instruments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

United Nations

UNODC ROSAF

UNODC Launches GBV Prosecutor Handbook in Lusaka for International Women's Day