Access to Justice by Victims of Violence Against Women and Girls in Tanzania: A Social Legal Perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 351-379
Author(s):  
Cecilia Ngaiza ◽  
Asina Omari
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-70
Author(s):  
Gasasira Gasana John ◽  
Margaret W. Gachihi ◽  
Herbert Misigo Amatsimbi ◽  
Etienne Ruvebana

This paper seeks to establish the contribution of Accessible justice to ending impunity for violence against women. Consequently, it investigates how far availing legal remedies to victims of violence against women leads to sustainable peace building in Rwanda. In doing so, the study adopts a case of Access to Justice Bureaus- a judicial service established by the government of Rwanda to help people have access to free legal remedies. Based on data collected from fifty five in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions in the four provinces and Kigali city, findings reveal that through free legal representation, community mobilization, formation of gender dialogue groups and multi-sectoral collaboration, Access to Justice Bureaus have played an important role in combatting impunity to violence against women. Conversely, findings also point to a number of challenges that need to be addressed if violence against women is to be fully eradicated.


This study responds to the fact that the high number of violence against women (KtP) and the weakness of access to justice of women victims of violence, whereas the Government of Indonesia has issued various laws and regulations to protect women. This shows that the face of women, especially women victims of violence in law and social life in Indonesia is very complex.The main obstacle faced by women victims of domestic violence (KDRT) in Surakarta City in accessing justice is the low awareness and understanding of their legal rights. To assist the constraints faced by women victims of violence in accessing justice, the role of intermediaries in this paralegal becomes very important. Therefore, this study will explore the deepening of the role effectiveness and constraints faced by paralegals in the fulfillment of access to justice for women victims Violence in Surakarta City. The purpose of this study is to orient theoretical development on the study of violence against women and access to justice.This research uses qualitative socio-legal method that is interdisciplinary approach to law; Is an alternative approach to conduct an examination of legal studies that are doctrinal.In particular, there are three reasons why the role of paralegals is crucial in helping women victims of access to justice. First, paralegals play the role of "familiarization" of the legal system for poor and marginalized groups such as women victims of violence. Second, paralegals are more accessible to women’s groups. In addition to being easy to find, legal services by paralegals are cheaper than similar services provided by lawyers or advocates. Third, paralegals influence the power relations and bargaining position of women groups that can be seen from reaction changes and other parties’ responses including responses from government institutions and law enforcement agencies. In general, paralegals apply methods of empowerment, education and legal training and representatives of justice seekers. In addition to seeking justice seekers to obtain justice in a real sense, paralegals also build social movements capable of encouraging the settlement of cases and enforcement of women’s rights.Constraints often faced by paralegals in assisting women victims of access to justice are the absence of formal legitimacy for paralegals in terms of legislation, the lack of funds owned by institutions where paralegals are sheltered and formal education level problems for uneven paralegals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-234
Author(s):  
Valbona Muça

This study aims to analyze and evaluate the social services provided to girls and women victims of domestic violence, based on the practices implemented in the non-public and public sector through this sector's representatives' representatives. The group of subjects included in the study consists of representatives of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, local government, and non-profit social centers for girls and women - victims of violence and the center's beneficiaries. Qualitative ethnographic methods were used to conduct this study. One of the most important findings of this study was that the primary need of raped girls and women is to provide shelter to guarantee a safe place with their children. Also, the findings of this study show that non-public social services for girls and women-victims of domestic violence are limited and very deficient. The lack of some services and their lack of coordination does not meet the needs of the subjects. From 2013-2019, the cases of denouncing domestic violence have increased because the state and non-profit organizations have played an essential role in raising their awareness. A vital contribution of this study is the relevant recommendations to improve social services for this target group.


Author(s):  
Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan

Globally, violence against women and girls is a pandemic—resulting in massive trauma and death. Certain scriptures and cultural texts condone the aggression; others adamantly protest heinous, unjust behaviors. Lament provides an avenue for naming and processing individual and communal violence, grief, and pain. This essay explores lament as response to pain and suffering generated amidst sexual and domestic violence, from a global womanist perspective. After providing a brief overview of my womanist biblical hermeneutic, this essay: (1) explores lament as a response to patriarchal misogynistic violence in Scripture, in dialog with global domestic violence; (2) explores lament embodied in selected Psalms, lamentations, and a lament by Beyoncé; and (3) concludes by invoking lament as a pathway of engaging global, daily loss and grief.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802110160
Author(s):  
Seema Vyas ◽  
Melissa Meinhart ◽  
Katrina Troy ◽  
Hannah Brumbaum ◽  
Catherine Poulton ◽  
...  

Evidence demonstrating the economic burden of violence against women and girls can support policy and advocacy efforts for investment in violence prevention and response programming. We undertook a systematic review of evidence on the costs of violence against women and girls in low- and middle-income countries published since 2005. In addition to understanding costs, we examined the consistency of methodological approaches applied and identified and assessed common methodological issues. Thirteen articles were identified, eight of which were from sub-Saharan Africa. Eight studies estimated costs associated with domestic or intimate partner violence, others estimated the costs of interpersonal violence, female genital cutting, and sexual assaults. Methodologies applied to estimate costs were typically based on accounting approaches. Our review found that out-of-pocket expenditures to individuals for seeking health care after an episode of violence ranged from US$29.72 (South Africa) to US$156.11 (Romania) and that lost productivity averaged from US$73.84 to US$2,151.48 (South Africa) per facility visit. Most studies that estimated provider costs of service delivery presented total programmatic costs, and there was variation in interventions, scale, and resource inputs measured which hampered comparability. Variations in methodological assumptions and data availability also made comparisons across countries and settings challenging. The limited scope of studies in measuring the multifaceted impacts of violence highlights the challenges in identifying cost metrics that extend beyond specific violence episodes. Despite the limited evidence base, our assessment leads us to conclude that the estimated costs of violence against women and girls are a fraction of its true economic burden.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 153-176
Author(s):  
Josephine Muthami ◽  
Haniel Nyaga Gatumu ◽  
Sahaya G. Selvam ◽  
Wambui J.

The purpose of the study was to highlight the factors associated with violence against women and girls and how they can benefit from therapy. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the factors associated with the occurrence of violence, determining the effectiveness of therapy in dealing with survivors of violence, exploring factors influencing or blocking effectiveness of therapy. A cross sectional research design was used in which questionnaires, an interviewing guide, focus group discussion and psychological assessment scale were used to collect study data. A sample of 75 women and girls was purposively selected from health facilities, counselling centres, chief camps, police station, NGOs and CBOs within Kibra Constituency. All respondents were females aged 18 years and above. The findings showed that all the respondents (100%) had been exposed to violence. The respondents who reported physical abuse were 30%, sexual abuse was reported by 10%, psychological and emotional abuse was reported by 16%, financial coercion was reported by 15%, neglect of children and duty by 13%, and verbal assault was reported by 16%.  Further, the results showed that the most common victims of violence are expectant mothers and children who are under the care of irresponsible persons. The most reported people to perpetrate violence were cited to be men. The responses given by the respondents as factors that trigger violence are: Previous assaults (61%), cultural expectations (61%), alcohol abuse and other drugs (49%), poor communication skills (49%), poor problem solving skills (49%), perpetrator outstretched demands on resources (49%), infidelity(37%), unemployment (37%), peer pressure (37%), frustration emanating from blocked goals (24%), childlessness (24%) and  personality traits (12%). Violence against women and girls impact negatively on their lives. The most common negative impact mentioned are depression by 75 respondents, children suffering cited by 65 respondents, family disintegration cited by 56 respondents, non-productivity, physical injury, and anxiety respectively cited  by 46 respondents. The survivors of violence have knowledge of where they can access help in order to cope with the consequences of violence. Of the 75 respondents, 75 of them said that counselling is very helpful. Perseverance is another coping mechanism mentioned by 75 respondents. Separation and keeping quite are strategies mentioned by 65 respondents. Going to hospital is another support and help available mentioned by 56 respondents. The respondents who opted for spiritual intervention were 47 while those who opted to start a business for sustainability were 38. Those who preferred sharing with significant others as a coping mechanism were 28. Last but not least, 18 women indicated that support groups are helpful in dealing with violence. The study recommended that women and girls should be empowered financially and policies put into place to curb violence. The government and other stakeholders should partner to support women and girls to overcome violence in the society.


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