Gender strengthens juvenile justice services

Auleria Wakudumo

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare continues to strengthen its juvenile justice services through the screening and diversion of children in conflict with the law.

This is part of broader efforts to protect children and promote their well-being.

According to the ministry’s presentation to the National Council, juvenile justice is among its childcare and protection programmes and services. The ministry provides screening and diversion of children in conflict with the law, as well as pre-sentence impact mitigation reports.

The services are aimed at ensuring that children who come into conflict with the law are assessed and receive appropriate interventions within the child protection system. The ministry’s juvenile justice programme forms part of a wider child-care and protection framework that includes services

for children who have experienced violence, children requiring alternative care and children living and working on the streets.

The ministry’s mandate is to ensure gender equality and equitable socio-economic development of women and men, as well as the well-being of children.