A new post-graduate diploma has been established at the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) in an effort to strengthen the capacity of various actors involved in the area of child justice.

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Launched on February 23, the diploma will train people ranging from judges, lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, prison officers, legal advisors, local government authorities, bailiffs, and paralegals, to equip them for a justice system that is "child-friendly and sensitive,” according to ILPD officials.

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"The objective of including the Justice for Children curriculum in the ILPD’s teaching and training programme is to ensure that children are better served in the justice system and protected by national laws, policies, and institutions, including the justice, security, and social welfare sectors,” said Ferdinand Ndamaje, Academic Dean at ILPD, during the launch.

It will feature elements including child psychology, social development, and social justice; child rights law and policy; child rights and family law; child rights and digital technology, among others.

According to Yves Sezirahiga, Acting Rector at ILPD, there is a need to pay good attention to children during judicial processes because they are vulnerable.

Grace Mukankusi, a prosecutor at the intermediate level, told the media in an interview that judicial officials including prosecutors have been doing a good job in judicial processes involving children, but there is room for improvement.

"The way we operate currently is good, but this training will help us to know more about the rights of children, their welfare, and what can be done to protect them during the judicial processes,” she noted.