Tech helps establish GBV victim-friendly courtroom
Green Enterprise Solutions (Green) recently completed a project for the victim-friendly court for gender-based violence (GBV) at the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura.During the renovations, provisions were made and equipment was installed to help victims of GBV testify against their accusers in a safe environment.
Testifying in court can be difficult and is often a terrifying experience, so this new courtroom is designed to help victims feel safe while giving evidence. The equipment needed to create this safe space was provided and installed by Green and consists of Digital Recording System, known as a DSP. This allows live signals to be stored, edited, replayed, and transferred efficiently and accurately. The necessary training has been given on how to operate the equipment.
Justice minister Yvonne Dausab and Chief Justice Peter Shivute officially opened the renovated victim-friendly magistrate’s court.
“The courtroom is an example of an institutional mechanism designed to eradicate GBV and to protect victims,” Dausab said. “Its design eases the burden for victims testifying in court. While this burden is significant for women who have been victims of GBV, it is even more significant for children testifying against those who have abused them.”
Hopefully, this courtroom will be the first of many such courtrooms across the country, leveraging and engaging technology to support victims, keeping them safe when testifying, enhancing their wellbeing, and encouraging victims to participate in or stay involved with the criminal justice process.
Chief justice, Peter Shivute, said that the escalation of GBV in the country has become a national concern. “Innocent lives, particularly those of women and children, are lost because of gender-based violence. This courtroom will provide the necessary tools for those victims to be able to testify.”
At the opening of the courtroom, Green’s managing director Kehad Snydewel said that they are proud of this milestone event. “We applaud the ministry for having the foresight to use technology to keep victims of GBV safe whilst testifying against perpetrators of the scourge that is GBV.”