Prosecutors need to be adequately equipped as Zambian society has become increasingly litigious – Justice Mambilima

PUBLIC prosecutors need adequate training to properly handle gender- based violence cases such as defilement and rape, Zambia Association of Women Judges chairperson Irene Mambilima has said.

Justice Mambilima said this yesterday in a speech read for her by her deputy Florence Mumba, during a two-day training workshop for female prosecutors drawn from the police and other security wings.

“Prosecutors need to be sensitised in gender-based violence such as handling defilement and rape cases, to ensure that they discharge their functions properly,” she said.

Justice Mambilima said prosecutors deal with a wide range of cases which include rape, defilement, incest and other sexual offences and need to be equipped with knowledge and skills on how best to handle such cases.

“I have always emphasised the need for prosecutors to continue updating their knowledge on issues which come before the courts,” Justice Mambilima said.

She said the law is dynamic and it is important for prosecutors to be in tandem with legal developments.

“I don’t need to remind you that the Zambian society has become increasingly litigious and this alone demands that prosecutors be adequately equipped to handle the volume of various cases that have become the order of the day,” Justice Mambilima said.

She said prosecutors need to be fully equipped with the necessary skills to enable them deliver justice in matters involving children, using domestic and where applicable international human rights instruments.

“I am sure you are aware of the alarming increase in the number of children being neglected, sexually-abused or coming in conflict with the law. This is the more reason you prosecutors need to sharpen your knowledge of the law,” Justice Mambilima said.

She said prosecutors also need to understand prevailing international human rights and practices.

Justice Mambilima urged prosecutors to protect children from abuse and neglect through effective prosecution of cases.

She said something seems to have gone wrong with society because despite stiffer punishment being meted out against sexual offenders, the abuse has continued.

And International Association of Women Judges director for human rights education Anne Goldstein said prosecutors face astounding challenges while executing their duties, hence the need for training.

[Zambia Daily Mail]