Judicial officers from regional countries have been urged to increase awareness on social issues like gender equality.The call was made by Chief Justice Prof. Sam Rugege on Wednesday while opening a three-day seminar for judicial officers on social context and other issues affecting consumers of judicial services from EAC member states. “As judicial officers, our outlook is based on our own knowledge, experience and understanding, just like everybody else. This may lead to misinterpretation or failure to understand those who are different or have different needs,” Prof. Rugege said.He said that recognising and eliminating prejudices within the judiciary is essential to prevent erroneous assumptions being made about the credibility or actions of those from different backgrounds.He noted that most people who are socially or economically disadvantaged may be affected by inferiority complex while before court, challenging the judicial officers to be cognisant of such social problems and address them accordingly.Rugege said for a long time in Africa, laws were not gender sensitive and did not guarantee the same level of protection to women compared to men, which has helped nurture stereotypes.Dr Esther Kisaakye Kitimbo, the chairperson of the East African Judicial Education Centre that organised the seminar said gender-based discrimination pervades all cultures, and is often manifested in the laws and policies.“For example, in many countries women are not accorded the same inheritance rights and property rights as men. There are even some countries where they are not allowed to testify in courts,” Kisaakye said, adding that gender-related challenges are being experienced but can be addressed when much effort is scaled up.
