In Zambia, judges and magistrates are strengthening how courts respond to victims and vulnerable witnesses through trauma-informed, rights-based judicial practice.
Judicial training in Zambia: IRLI in partnership with the Judiciary of Zambia, supported by Irish Aid.
Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is working in partnership with the Judiciary of Zambia, with support from Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland's international development programme, to support judicial training that helps courts better recognise and respond to the needs of survivors of gender-based violence and other vulnerable witnesses.
Rights-Based, Trauma-Informed Approaches
The initiative began through peer exchange between Zambian justice experts and legal experts on the island of Ireland, sharing practical experience on trauma-informed approaches to courtroom practice.
These approaches recognise that court proceedings themselves can sometimes unintentionally retraumatise witnesses. By strengthening awareness of how trauma affects testimony and behaviour in court, judges are better equipped to ensure that court processes remain fair, respectful and rights-based.
Prevent retraumatisation in court with trauma-informed, rights-based practice.
The Cascade Model in Judicial Training
Today, the training is being delivered locally through a cascade model, with Zambian judges training their colleagues across jurisdictions.
Judge Geoffrey Miller KC, an judicial trainer from Ireland involved in the programme, described the approach as one rooted in partnership:
The most important aspect of the training is that Zambian judges assume ownership of the training and apply it to their own court structures. By doing so, reform is led and sustained locally.
Zambian Magistrate Tamala Kakusa highlighted the importance of local leadership in delivering the training:
It’s important that this training is delivered by Zambian judges because they understand the legal framework, judicial precedents and local context that shape how justice is delivered in our jurisdiction.
Trauma-Informed Practice within Judicial Training in Zambia
By embedding trauma-informed practice within judicial training, the programme is helping strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence and other vulnerable witnesses, while ensuring that court proceedings uphold fundamental legal rights.
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Ireland and Zambia to strengthening justice institutions and advancing the rule of law.
The programme is delivered by Irish Rule of Law International in partnership with the Judiciary of Zambia, with support from Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland’s programme for international development.
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