Bongani Moyo
Peter Matika [email protected]
THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for greater investment in the mental health and psychosocial well-being of magistrates.
UNICEF warned that repeated exposure to traumatic cases involving children and survivors of violence can affect the quality of justice delivery if judicial officers are not adequately supported.
Speaking at the Magistrates’ National Conference in Bulawayo over the weekend, UNICEF child protection specialist Ms Kudzai Jiri said magistrates routinely preside over some of the most emotionally demanding cases, including child sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence, while remaining impartial and delivering fair judgments.
She said sustained exposure to such cases could lead to secondary or vicarious trauma, making it essential for the justice sector to prioritise the well-being of judicial officers.
“Day after day, year after year, magistrates are required to listen carefully, remain impartial and make decisions that profoundly affect people’s lives. Continuous exposure to traumatic narratives can affect emotional well-being, decision-making, relationships and overall mental health if adequate support is not available,” said Ms Jiri.
She commended the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Judicial Training Institute of Zimbabwe for convening the conference, describing it as an important platform for judicial officers to reflect on their work, strengthen professional capacity and enhance justice delivery.
Ms Jiri said UNICEF was honoured to support the conference as part of its long-standing partnership with the Judicial Service Commission to improve access to justice, particularly for women and children.
“Over the years, the collaboration between UNICEF and the JSC has yielded significant progress through the strengthening of the Victim Friendly System and Victim Friendly Courts,” she said.
Ms Jiri said the partnership has become one of Zimbabwe’s most innovative approaches to protecting survivors of violence while ensuring that child survivors participate in judicial proceedings in an environment that safeguards their dignity, safety and rights.
“The progress we have achieved together demonstrates what is possible when institutions place children’s rights at the centre of justice delivery. Thousands of children have benefited from more child-sensitive court procedures, better coordination among service providers and a justice system that increasingly recognises the unique needs of children,” she said.
Ms Jiri lauded the JSC for its leadership in advancing child-sensitive justice, but noted that insufficient attention had been paid to the emotional wellbeing of magistrates and other judicial officers.
She said while considerable emphasis is placed on protecting victims, survivors and accused persons, those responsible for adjudicating such cases also require structured psychological support.
Ms Jiri welcomed the inclusion of dedicated mental health and psychosocial support sessions at this year’s conference, saying the initiative was an important step towards strengthening the resilience of judicial officers.
The sessions were facilitated by the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI), a UNICEF partner specialising in building resilience and promoting psychosocial well-being among professionals working in high-pressure environments.
Ms Jiri said the programme reflected growing recognition that justice sector professionals require support to cope with the emotional demands associated with their responsibilities.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Judicial Service Commission in building a justice system that remains accessible, responsive and protective, particularly for children and other vulnerable members of society.
“As we conclude, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Judicial Service Commission as we collectively build a justice system that is accessible, responsive and protective for all, including children,” said Ms Jiri.
