Dear Rada,
I am interested in your impressions about ignorant, uninformed,
all-knowing magistrates and judges who have never read anything on domestic
violence or VAW. I happen to be a judge in Nigeria and I understand
perfectly what you mean. I have not lost hope entirely though as I know
that more effort and will are needed to begin to educate our colleagues on
the bench away from their traditional perceptions of women's concerns.
Please don't give up on us because the Courts will always have to
deal with the awesome responsibility of safeguarding the rights of people
which includes women and children. You can do trainings for us benchers and
I assure the result will be well worth the effort.
If you buy my views please let me know how it is turning out. If
you bear in mind that we are sensitized to believe that judges know
everything including medicine, engineering and what-have-you you will begin
to understand our dilemma in a new world of human rights, globalisation and
development. We are simply being left behind, please don't let the
marginalisation continue. Help us to meet some of our judicial
responsibilities better. We need all the support we can get. God bless you.
Nkem Izuako.
On Fri, 22 Mar 2002 17:31:10 +0400, Rada Gungaloo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Concerning training of judicial officers, many groups working on the issues
>of domestic violence often come up with that proposal, some say that they
>have had training workshops with very good results. Unfortunately, I often
>wonder whether I am living and working on another planet as I do not see
>such a training program being attended by Mauritian judges and magistrates
>unless it is organised by academics (especially from abroad). They will
>attend such meetings as 'experts', listen then go back, still very sure of
>their alleged knowledge. The crux of the problem is the power of judges and
>magistrates; this power can hardly be challenged, at least not in my
>country. All the judicial officers, the police, probation officers, court
>officials, magistrates and judges will always give their opinion on violence
>against women even if they have never read a single serious article/
>paper/book on the subject. They rely on the inherent power of their
>functions. I have neither the time nor the desire to run courses for them.
>
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