Strengthening the Link Between Survivors and Justice 

Community paralegals and Empower Nurture Young Women through Empowerment (ENYE) network members are emerging as a critical link between GBV survivors and the justice system in Kwale. A joint monitoring and learning visit in Lungalunga and Msambweni highlighted both the value of this community-based support and the capacity gaps that need to be addressed to strengthen survivor access to justice. 

Held recently, the visit brought together Agence Française de Développement (AFD), International Planned Parenthood Foundation and Centre for Reproductive Rights to assess project progress, identify operational gaps and inform adaptive programming. 

In Msambweni, community paralegals and ENYE members received capacity development on criminal court proceedings and psychosocial support. An Advocate of the High Court guided participants through key stages of criminal cases, including plea taking, bond hearings, pre-trial conferences, hearings, judgment and sentencing. 

The session reinforced the role of paralegals in helping survivors understand their rights, navigate court processes, access appropriate support services and follow up on cases.  Participants also explored the importance of proper documentation and identifying gaps in evidence and case preparation, as well as raising survivor and witness safety concerns through appropriate channels.  

“The training not only boosted my confidence, but it also enabled me improve my case management skills. This helped me in addressing a case where the child was unwilling to speak. But by creating a safe space and positioning myself as a person of trust, she opened up and we were able to take the case forward.  If it were not for this training, I would have easily lost that case and justice would not have been served,” said one of the paralegals.  

In Vanga, Lungalunga, the team also participated in a community awareness forum and legal clinic aimed at increasing awareness of GBV and connecting community members with legal information and support. 

Lunga Lunga Officer Commanding Station Mr Danson Mwakundia contributed to the conversation highlighting manifestations of GBV in the area. With his experience, he is well versed with the barriers that prevent survivors from accessing formal justice, including kangaroo courts that the community secretly uses in place of the formal justice system. He used this moment to explain the referral pathway for survivors and to emphasise the role of the police in access to justice for survivors. 

“Even if someone does not understand anything, they should go to the station and be guided on how to follow the right process,” he explained.  

Together, these efforts are strengthening the community-level support systems that help survivors move from reporting violence to accessing services and pursuing justice. By building the capacity of community paralegals, strengthening referral pathways and deepening coordination with justice actors, YSW is working to make the journey to justice more accessible for GBV survivors in Kwale.