DPP and Equality Effect Deepen Partnership to Empower Prosecutors and Advance Justice for Girls

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, this evening held a meeting with the leadership of Equality Effect, led by its Chief Executive Officer and President, Dr. Fiona Sampson, to discuss the ongoing partnership between the two institutions under the 160 Girls Project.

The meeting focused on reviewing the progress made in building the capacity of prosecutors to effectively handle gender-based violence (GBV) cases, exploring the incorporation of the 160 Girls curriculum into the Prosecution Training Institute (PTI) syllabus, and considering the development of an e-learning platform to enhance accessibility and sustainability of the training programme.

Equality Effect is an international non-governmental organization that works to advance the rights of women and girls by addressing gender-based violence, discrimination, and barriers to access to justice. Through its 160 Girls Project, the organization has played a key role in strengthening accountability and improving justice outcomes for survivors of defilement and GBV by combining legal advocacy, research, and professional training for justice sector actors.

During the meeting, the DPP expressed his appreciation to Equality Effect for its unwavering support in training and equipping prosecutors with the skills necessary to handle GBV and defilement cases with professionalism and sensitivity. He noted that the collaboration between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Equality Effect has already seen over 190 prosecutors trained, leading to significant improvements in the prosecution of such cases.

Mr. Ingonga further highlighted that the training initiatives have resulted in enhanced prosecutorial capacity, improved case management, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, greater consistency in prosecution standards, and increased awareness and sensitivity among prosecutors. He added that these efforts have contributed to a positive trajectory toward the ODPP’s target of building the capacity of at least 50 percent of prosecutors nationwide.

Dr. Fiona Sampson commended the ODPP for its commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, noting that such dedication will foster increased awareness and promote the timely and effective handling of defilement and GBV cases. She emphasized that sustained training and collaboration are essential in ensuring justice for survivors and upholding the rights of women and girls.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on the milestones achieved through the partnership, identify areas for future collaboration, and discuss sustainable approaches to institutionalizing the 160 Girls curriculum within the ODPP’s training framework.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing access to justice, promoting gender equality, and strengthening the capacity of prosecutors to respond effectively to gender-based violence in Kenya.