UNODC at the first Judicial Symposium on GBV in Maputo, Mozambique.

A group photo of the delegates attending the Judicial Symposium

Maputo, Mozambique, from 26 February to 01 March 2024 – In a collaborative effort between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNODC ROSAF) and the Mozambican Association for Women Judges (A.M. Juiza), the city of Maputo, Mozambique, played host to a pivotal event—the First Judicial Symposium on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), running from February 26th to March 1st, 2024.

This five-day symposium was crafted to bolster the capabilities of Judicial Officers, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate the intricate landscape of gender-based violence against women and girls.

The overarching objectives included refining criminal justice responses, enhancing access to justice, and fostering gender equality and empowerment. Notably, the symposium attracted the attendance of 37 esteemed Judicial Officers.

Data has shown that 1 in 3 women are subjected to physical and sexual abuse by their partners and non-partners globally.[1] This reveals the prevalence of violence and abuse against women. Setting the tone for the symposium’s inception, Mr. Antonio De Vivo, Head of Program Office at UNODC Mozambique, underscored the organization’s unwavering dedication to upholding international norms and standards concerning gender-based violence. In his address, he emphasized the multifaceted nature of GBV, characterizing it not only as a stark violation of human rights but also as a formidable impediment to attaining social justice, sustainable development, and peace.

Echoing gratitude, Ms. Sílvia Comissário, President of the Mozambican Association for Judges, expressed appreciation to UNODC ROSAF for their invaluable contribution in orchestrating this training initiative.

“This symposium marks a significant milestone, representing the first international training endeavor for judicial officers under the Mozambican association’s purview. The training will have a positive impact on the adjudication of gender-based violence cases, which disproportionately affect women and girls. Through a synchronized approach, we must focus on integrating regional, international, and domestic legal instruments into judicial practices, fostering continuous improvement among judges and ultimately enhancing the quality of justice dispensed to citizens nationwide.”

During the symposium’s deliberations, Dr. Linda Naidoo seized the opportunity to present the groundbreaking U-Turn to Hope mock trial, an innovative initiative birthed in Namibia. The beginning of this endeavor stemmed from a dire need to rectify systemic inadequacies in the investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence cases.

Dr. Naidoo’s impassioned plea resonated with attendees, igniting a collective commitment to fortify legal frameworks and procedural protocols, ensuring that as complainants, women and girls receive the requisite protection and support throughout the criminal justice continuum.

UNODC's Dr Linda Naidoo speaking about some of the initiatives currently taking place in the region.

Some of the attendees with Dr Linda Naidoo from the UNODC

Dr. Naidoo highlighted distressing phenomena wherein victims withdrew cases due to lack of protection from the criminal justice system, compounded by the trauma of secondary victimization when recounting their experiences in open courts. She passionately advocated for a partnership with AM JUIZA, in the development of a Mozambican judicial handbook tailored to improve access to justice for GBV victims, mitigating the risk of secondary victimization while fostering the dissemination of best practices assembled from criminal courts worldwide.

[1] UNODC. (2022). Gender-Related Killings of Women and Girls. Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/briefs/Femicide_brief_Nov2022.pdf.