In a landmark initiative aimed at effective and efficient justice for Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) survivors (by reforming the handling of such cases) members of the Open Society on Justice Reform Project (OSJRP) and Project Alert Team made a strategic visit to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) today. This significant meeting sets the stage for potential groundbreaking improvements in the justice delivery system for SGBV survivors.
The teams led by Dr. (Mrs.) Josephine Effa-Chukeuma (Executive Director of Project Alert) made the proposal of a collaborative venture to develop and implement a cutting-edge software application. The application will be specifically designed to enhance the tracking and data of SGBV cases from the reporting stage till justice is served and perpetrators are held accountable. The app will also be used for the collection of relevant data in such cases. The collected data will provide an adequate up to date database for policy briefs, policy reforms and advocacy in SGBV matters. This technology promises to be a cornerstone in creating a more effective and efficient judicial process, with the goal of increasing the speed, effectiveness and efficiency of justice delivery in SGBV cases and accountability for SGBV perpetrators.
Further to technological enhancements, the Project Alert and OSJRP team has put forward the idea of adopting the Unified Response Protocol and Referral Pathways (URPRP). This framework is expected to standardize response mechanisms across different realms of the justice sector, ensuring a cohesive and survivor-focused approach to SGBV cases.
Expected outcomes of these proposed initiatives are substantial. By bolstering the conviction rates through these actions, there is a dual hope: not only to punish and deter perpetuators but also to instill greater confidence among SGBV survivors in the justice system. With increased faith in legal processes, the OSJRP anticipates a rise in reporting rates, ushering in a new era of accountability and support for survivors.
As these discussions forge ahead, both the OSJRP and Project Alert Team remain optimistic. The talks signify a potential transformative shift in the SGBV legal landscape. The public, especially SGBV survivors and advocates, eagerly await to see these proposals come to fruition, anticipating that the next steps taken will be giant leaps towards justice, healing, and prevention.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and the path to a more just society for SGBV survivors becomes clearer.