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The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of Gender in Development of the Judiciary - Hon. Lady Justice, Mrs. Elizabeth Muyovwe, and other Judges present
The Traditional leaders present
The Permanent Secretary Dr. Auxilia Ponga, representing Hon. Elizabeth Phiri, Minister of Gender
The Chief Administrator of the Judiciary – Ms. Nalishebo Imataa
The Acting Permanent Secretary – Dr. Allan Lingambe - Eastern Province
Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director – Ms. Colleen Zamba
Registrars Present
The Principal Resident Magistrate – Ms. Jennifer Bwalya
The Zambia Police Commissioner - Mr. Lackson Sakala
The District Commissioner of Chipata
The Director of Public Prosecutions
Hon. Area Member of Parliament
His Worship the Mayor of Chipata
Senior Government officials present
Representatives of the Governments of Sweden, Ireland, United Kingdom , Members of the UN System in Zambia
Joint UNDP and UNFPA mission team from South Sudan
Representatives of the Private Sector, The Media houses present, Ladies and Gentlemen
May I welcome you all to this great city of Chipata.
It gives me immense pleasure to be part of this great achievement being recorded today the 20th November 2018 were Zambia’s 4th GBV Fast Track is being Launched. 24 February 2017 the President of Zambia H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu declared Chipata as Zambia’s 5th City after Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone. There we see this development as one of the key milestones which will help position the city into a center of development which can also be a challenge when GBV takes centre stage.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Ending Gender Based Violence remains high on the political and development agenda of our country. Sexual and gender-based violence has devastating, long-term effects on the lives of victims, their families and communities, and also impedes development progress. Where sexual and gender-based violence persist, women and girls are usually disproportionally affected.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law. In the absence of access to justice, people are unable to have their voice heard, exercise their rights, challenge discrimination or hold decision-makers accountable. Fast Track Courts are catalyst of quick dispensation of justice and rule of law. I therefore thank the governments of Sweden, Ireland and the United Kingdom for their continued support towards ending GBV which creates a good platform for gender equality.
May I also thank the United Nations Development Programme – UNDP in its working partnership with the Judiciary for such a great initiative whose core aim is to foster development at all levels by eliminating GBV.
LADIES AND GENTLEMENT
The establishment of this court comes at a time when cases of GBV including early marriages and teen pregnancies are rampant in Eastern Province. The court is a great investment will go a long way in helping curb these vises.
I hereby put forth government’s pledge to safeguard this structure and its equipment so that its intended purpose is realized as quick justice has been brought to my people’s door step.
I wish everyone a happy stay in Chipata. Our UNDP and UNFPA Friends from South Sudan who have come to learn from this innovation led by UNDP on increasing access to justice have a chance of visiting Mfuwe which is one of our great tourism sites if time allows.
TAKULANDILANI
