The House of Representatives has called for prompt justice for victims of gender-based violence, asserting that expeditious legal proceedings will deter this societal menace.
Through a motion introduced by member Awaji-Inombek Abiante and three others, the House expressed concern that gender-based violence persists due to delays in the justice system.
The motion highlighted numerous women who have been murdered over the years, noting that justice remains unserved in these cases.
The House proposed the establishment of specialised divisions within existing courts, granting them exclusive jurisdiction over homicide and related cases. This initiative aims to expedite justice, reduce case backlogs, and restore public confidence in the legal system.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the National Judicial Council to facilitate the creation of these specialised divisions at all judicial levels to handle homicide and femicide cases promptly.
Additionally, the House called upon relevant law enforcement agencies to prioritise homicide investigations and ensure the thorough prosecution of offenders.