Community Paralegals Step Up the Fight Against GBV  

Thirty community GBV paralegals from Msambweni and Lungalunga sub-counties are now better equipped to hold service providers accountable and strengthen

gender-based violence (GBV), survivors’ access to justice following a Community Score Card (CSC) training facilitated by YSW.

The training not only built technical knowledge but also challenged participants to unpack the structural drivers of GBV, examining how unequal power relations, harmful social norms, poverty, and discriminatory cultural practices continue to fuel child marriage, female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence, and barriers to justice. Through these discussions, participants reflected on the role communities can play in preventing violence while ensuring survivors receive timely, quality, and survivor-centred support.

Using the Community Score Card approach, paralegals gained practical skills to facilitate community dialogues, assess the quality of GBV services, engage duty bearers, and jointly develop solutions with communities and government institutions. They also identified key gaps in health, police, and justice services, laying the groundwork for evidence-based advocacy to improve service delivery.

A key outcome of the training was the development of biannual ward-level work plans to guide Community Score Card implementation across the eight wards of Msambweni and Lungalunga. These plans will strengthen GBV reporting and referral pathways, promote regular engagement between communities and service providers, and foster greater accountability within the justice system.

By investing in community paralegals, YSW is strengthening a network of local champions who will not only support survivors but also drive long-term improvements in how GBV prevention and response services are delivered. Through community-led accountability, the initiative aims to ensure that survivors have greater access to quality services, responsive institutions, and justice.  

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Justice for Survivors (J4S) remains committed to advancing access to justice, protection and dignity for survivors of GBV. It is funded by AFD and implemented by CRR, AFJCI and IPPF as the lead consortium member.