YOWPSUD Joins Stakeholders in Bamba Community Engagement to Strengthen Access to Justice and Address Gender-Based Violence

Youth and Women for Peace and Sustainable Development (YOWPSUD) joined the Court Users Committee (CUC) and other stakeholders in a community engagement forum held in Bamba, Ganze Sub-County, aimed at strengthening access to justice and addressing the growing challenge of gender-based violence (GBV). The forum, hosted by Principal Magistrate Hon. Ivy Wasike, a mentor under the Mwanamke Imara Project, with support from International Justice Mission (IJM), brought together community members, local leaders, youth, women, security and justice actors, and creatives to foster dialogue on promoting accountability, protecting vulnerable groups, and building safer communities.

The engagement provided a platform for participants to discuss the drivers of GBV, barriers to accessing justice, and the importance of collective action in preventing violence. Discussions emphasized that addressing GBV requires coordinated efforts among communities, justice institutions, law enforcement agencies, local leadership, civil society organizations, and development partners. Participants highlighted the need for stronger community ownership, timely reporting of incidents, and greater public awareness of legal processes and support services available to survivors.

One of the highlights of the engagement was a powerful performance by young creatives from Bamba, who used drama to portray the realities of gender-based violence and its devastating impact on families, women, and young people. The skit also shed light on the growing culture of silence commonly referred to as the "Simanya Syndrome", a phenomenon where witnesses choose not to report crimes or cooperate with authorities despite having knowledge of offences. Participants noted that this silence undermines investigations, denies survivors justice, and allows perpetrators to evade accountability, further perpetuating cycles of violence within communities.

The performance served as a compelling call to action, urging community members to reject silence, stand with survivors, and actively support justice processes. It also demonstrated the power of creative arts as a tool for raising awareness, influencing attitudes, and inspiring community-led action on critical social issues.

While the engagement was convened through the Court Users Committee, it reflects the growing impact of the Mwanamke Imara Project in strengthening women's leadership within the security and justice sectors. As a mentor under the programme, Hon. Ivy Wasike exemplified how women leaders are championing meaningful conversations on justice, gender-based violence, and community safety beyond the project's formal activities. Her leadership demonstrates how the knowledge, confidence, and networks fostered through Mwanamke Imara are translating into practical action within institutions and communities.

For YOWPSUD, this represents the long-term vision of Mwanamke Imara: empowering more women in the security and justice sectors to confidently lead initiatives that address local challenges, strengthen trust between communities and public institutions, and promote gender-responsive approaches to peace and security. Such leadership contributes to preventing violence by addressing underlying drivers such as gender inequality, impunity, and limited access to justice, while encouraging collaborative, community-led responses that strengthen resilience and social cohesion.

The engagement also reinforced the link between access to justice and preventing and countering violent extremism. Communities where violence, injustice, and exclusion persist are often more vulnerable to conflict, mistrust, and exploitation. By creating spaces for dialogue, promoting accountability, and encouraging citizens to engage with justice institutions, initiatives such as this help strengthen the protective factors that enable communities to resolve disputes peacefully and resist the conditions that can fuel violence and instability.

The forum concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, break the culture of silence surrounding GBV, improve access to justice for survivors, and support community-led solutions that promote peaceful coexistence. YOWPSUD remains committed to working alongside justice institutions, community leaders, and development partners to advance inclusive peacebuilding efforts and empower women leaders whose influence continues to inspire safer, more just, and resilient communities across the Coast region.