May 26, 2023 (SHASHAMANE, Ethiopia): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, yesterday inaugurated a regional training workshop on integration of gender perspectives in Criminal Justice Systems in the town of Shashamane, three hours drive from Addis Ababa.
The Mayor of Shashamane, Hon Adane Teklegiorgis, and the Attorney General of the Oromia Region, Mr Guyo Wario, graced the opening session as they addressed the participants in welcome remarks.
The three-day regional training, which organised by the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (IGAD CEPCVE), is bringing together criminal justices systems officers including judicial officials, prosecutors, law enforcement and correction officers from the IGAD region plus Rwanda and Tanzania. The workshop aims at enhancing criminal justice system in preventing and countering violent extremism by integrating gender perspectives in investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorism and violent extremism cases.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary stated that the “threat of terrorism and violent extremism in East and Horn of Africa continues to grow exponentially”. “The IGAD CEPCVE has in its programmes endeared to ensure that regional actors are integrating human rights based approaches, gender and conflict sensitive methodologies in their work to prevent violent extremism; this particular training is a testament of the”, Dr Workneh said.
Attorney General of the Oromia Region took the floor to highlight that violent extremism was a threat to peace, development, stability. “Prevention needs both national, regional and international cooperation”, AG Guyo Ario added.
The Mayor of the town welcomed the participants to Shashamane which is hosting an IGAD meeting for the first time ever. Hon. Adane Teklegiorgis gave an overview of the history of his town and region and underscored the importance securing a safe future for the children of the region by preparing “ourselves to reach the goals of our Africa Agenda 2063”.
At the conclusion tomorrow, it is expected that this regional training will be integral in generating policy and program recommendations relating to key elements necessary for integration of gender perspectives into criminal justice responses crucial for successful P/CVE efforts.
The workshop is held with the financial support by the government of Sweden through the Sweden International Development Agency (SIDA).
