DAR ES SALAAM, July 16, 2024 — Fatuma Mbaruku, a 38-year-old mother of four, traveled from Azimio to the Temeke Integrated Justice Center to file for custody and support for her children following her 2023 divorce.
Arriving at 11:00 a.m., Fatuma, who had an infant needing periodic breastfeeding, received assistance with her case through the center's online e-filing system. While waiting for her procedures to be completed, she was directed to a special breastfeeding room, providing her with privacy.
“The care I have received since my arrival is unbelievable,” said Fatuma. “I appreciate the warm welcome and high-quality assistance. They informed me of the special breastfeeding room, ensuring my comfort while waiting for my case documents.”
The Temeke Integrated Justice Center (IJC) is one of six centers in Tanzania providing comprehensive services in one location as part of the IDA-supported Citizen-Centric Judicial Modernization and Justice Delivery Project (CCJMP), with nine more under construction in Lindi, Songea, Songwe, Geita, Katavi, Pemba, Singida, Simiyu, and Njombe. The project development objective of the $155 million CCJMP, implemented by the Judiciary of Tanzania since 2016, is to improve the efficiency and transparency of and access to selected citizen-centric justice services.
Referred to as "one-stop centers" (OSCs), establishments like Temeke were created to facilitate equal and timely justice for all, particularly in family cases and to enhance gender justice. In addition to the designated child-care room, the Temeke Center houses the Primary Court, District Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal along with essential stakeholders such as legal aid providers, social welfare officers, police gender desk personnel, advocates, and religious leaders.
“Some clients simply couldn’t afford the transport fare around the city if they had to seek the services of all these providers at different locations in the city,” said Judge Mwanabaraka Mnyukwa.
Since its establishment in August 2021 up until March 31, 2024, the center has registered a total of 17,467 cases. Out of these cases registered across all court levels by March 31st this year:
- Total cases decided: 16 ,328
- Cases pending:1 ,139
The Temeke OSC receives an average of 800 customers daily. By March 2024 it had served:
- Total customers served:467 ,825
- Women customers served:267 ,109(57%)
The integrated setup has facilitated access to those in need of legal aid:
- Beneficiaries served:7 ,399
- Women beneficiaries served:4 ,744(64%)
Consequently making Temeke IJC become Africa’s first “gender justice” IJC second globally dedicated specifically tailored towards women providing matrimonial probate domestic violence child custody property rights among other justice services
"Equitable administration means leveling ground ensuring access all stakeholders,” said Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel Chief Court Administrator “Integrated centers mitigated barriers women access due economic social hurdles evidenced numbers already visited center Cases involving children physically impaired persons pregnant or breastfeeding mothers given priority called first."
The Social Welfare Department located premises provides free psychological counseling support benefitting:
- Women beneficiaries:5 ,047(64%)
- Men beneficiaries nearly2 ,900
“This meant offer safe space communication healing conflict resolution helps family members navigate emotions understand perspectives develop coping strategies during challenging times such divorce custody battles domestic violence situations” said Judge Mnyukwa.
Access justice Tanzania severely constrained women small businesses rural poor due various factors including socioeconomic cultural political infrastructure governance issues Court processes need improvement indicated backlog case clearance rates Lack public information slow publication court decisions perceptions corruption further hinder access highlight deficiencies within system
At time project’s design Tanzanian court system received about200 ,000cases(both filed pending) per year types levels courts only about120 ,000decided annually(i.e rate about60%) causing perpetual increase backlogs compounding delays Manual event-based systems processes resulted inefficient case management For example more than50% took30–90days filing preliminary objection two-thirds took90–1 ,000days progress pretrial hearing trial Two-thirds took150–1 ,000days trial decision
In2015 Government Tanzania launched major reform judiciary align National Development Vision2025 Implementation CCJMP began2016 initial financing International Development Association(IDA)$65million support necessary judicial reforms needed create results-oriented citizen-centric accountable delivery system Additional financing$90million provided2022
In addition constructing IJCs like Temeke CCJMP achieved important milestones expanding access court services through construction78subordinate courts18already operational serving over13million citizens enhancing transparency via online publication decisions project increased electronic publication decisions from3%in202154%in2024 reduced processing times across different levels lowering backlog rate from11%in20213%in2024 successfully implemented integrated e-judiciary system introduced virtual hearing services video conferencing adopted Gender Justice Strategic Framework As result initiatives raised citizen confidence from61%in201688%in2023
Temeke densely populated low-income area among largest districts Dar es Salaam region While majority center's clients local integrated services attract individuals surrounding districts expression front door"Tupo Hapa Kukufuta Machozi"("We are here wipe away your tears") serves poignant message encouragement
---