Bauchi State Judiciary has expressed plans to establish Family Courts in the Six Magisterial Districts across the State to facilitate amicable resolution of family feuds especially issues of gender based violence and child molestation.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Fatima Abubakar during an advocacy to her office by a Bauchi based CSO, Women, Child, Youth Health and Education Initiative (WCY), on Wednesday with the theme: Strengthening Access to Child – friendly Justice through the Family Court.
The Chief Registrar also stressed the importance of family court in facilitating justice among people who are relations as well as protecting the vulnerable people in the community against abuse.
On collaboration, Fatima Abubakar, said that the Judiciary cannot collaborate in anyway with NGO, CSO because it is an arbiter that is only interested in ensuring justice and fairness to all.
Earlier, Executive Director of WCY, Rashida Mukkadas, said that the purpose of the advocacy was to strengthen the commitment of the Bauchi State High Court and the Judiciary towards accessible, responsive and child-friendly justice by building on existing Family Court at the High Court in Azare.
Also advocating for expanded geographical access and strengthening public awareness and stakeholders collaboration.
She said that the advocacy matters
for sustained follow-up and monitoring because Children require justice mechanisms that protect their safety, dignity, privacy, welfare and best interests.
The ED of WCY stressed that the establishment of the Family Court at the High Court in Bauchi is an important achievement adding however that, access to justice should progressively extend beyond the State capital so that children
and families in other parts of Bauchi State are not unnecessarily disadvantaged by distance or lack
of information.
Advocating for a Family Court at the High Court in Azare and appropriate child-friendly justice arrangements at Magistrate Court level across strategic locations represents an opportunity to bring justice closer to communities while building on the existing judicial framework.
At the same time, sustained public awareness and strong collaboration between the Judiciary, government, CSOs and media are essential to ensuring that available services are known, understood and appropriately accessed.
She stressed that the protection of children’s rights requires a justice system that is accessible, responsive, child-sensitive and capable of protecting the best interests of every child.
According to her, Children who experience violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, harmful practices, early and forced marriage or other violations of their rights may require access to judicial and other formal protection
mechanisms.
“For children, access to justice goes beyond the physical presence of a court. It requires justice processes that take into consideration children’s age, vulnerability, safety, dignity, privacy, welfare and best interests, in accordance with applicable laws and judicial procedures,” She added.
Rashida Mukkadas pointed out that, “WCY recognises and appreciates the Bauchi State High Court for establishing a Family Court at
the High Court in Bauchi. This represents an important institutional step towards strengthening
child-friendly justice and provides a foundation for expanding access to appropriate justice mechanisms across the State.”
“However, children and families living outside Bauchi metropolis may continue to face barriers to accessing appropriate justice services. These may include geographical distance, transportation costs, limited awareness of available services, inadequate information on referral pathways, social stigma and other practical or institutional constraints,” She said.
She therefore said that there is a need to build on the progress already made by the judiciary by exploring
opportunities to expand Family Court access to other strategic locations.
In particular, WCY sought to advocate for the establishment of a Family Court at the High Court in Azare, while also encouraging consideration of appropriate Family Court or child-friendly justice arrangements at
Magistrate Court level across strategic locations in Bauchi State, subject to applicable legal,
judicial and administrative procedures.
She stressed that continuous public awareness is equally important as Children, parents, caregivers, communities and service providers need clear and accurate information about available Family Court services, their purpose, location and appropriate referral pathways.
According to her, “The judiciary, government institutions, CSOs and media therefore have complementary roles in ensuring that children and families can effectively understand and access available child-friendly
justice mechanisms.”
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