Programme strengthens justice delivery in Balaka

Primary Justice Programme has helped effectively clear cases in Balaka as some cases are now heard at traditional leaders’ level.

Speaking on Tuesday when Primary Justice Programme held a stakeholders meeting, the organisation’s project officer Darlingtone Kawawa also said marginalised people, especially women and children, are now able to access justice.

“Unlike in the past when all tribunals had male members, women are now able to take leadership positions like those of councillor,” he said.

Kawawa said people now know cases that are supposed to be referred to chiefs, police or courts.

Group village head (GVH) Lupanga said the programme has helped increase the number of cases that are referred to chiefs for hearing.

Primary Justice Programme, which started in Balaka in 2011 in traditional authorities (T/As) Msamala and Kalembo, was implemented by 40 community- based educators (CBE) with funding from Department for International Development (DfID) through Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP). n