Strengthening Legal Expertise: CJA’s Training for Young Legal Professionals in the JCTP
In February 2025, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA), conducted an intensive training program for legal professionals as part of the Judicial Clerkship Training Program (JCTP). This initiative aimed to enhance the skills of lawyers, judges, and legal practitioners in handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) cases, ensuring justice for survivors through a rights-based approach.
Me. Dative Uwizeyimana, Program Coordinator at CJA, led a session on strategic litigation, focusing on GBV case research, drafting, and pleading. She emphasized the critical role of victim protection in legal proceedings, guiding participants through best practices in building strong cases, preserving evidence, and advocating for survivors with sensitivity and legal precision. Her session provided practical insights into litigation strategies that prioritize survivor-centered approaches, reinforcing the importance of legal expertise in securing justice.
Me. Kagina Laura Jeanne d’Arc, also a Program Coordinator at CJA, facilitated a hands-on workshop on data protection and privacy in GBV case handling. She highlighted secure strategies for maintaining confidentiality and ensuring victim safety, equipping participants with the knowledge to safeguard sensitive information in legal proceedings. Additionally, she addressed emerging challenges in GBV and SRHR litigation, providing real-world case studies and engaging discussions on how evolving legal landscapes impact survivor rights and access to justice.
Lydia Taima Munganyinka, Director at CJA, led a session on incorporating human rights into legal practice, focusing on best approaches for public interest litigation. She explored how legal professionals can use international human rights frameworks to strengthen their cases and advocate for broader systemic change. By integrating human rights principles into GBV and SRHR litigation, participants gained valuable perspectives on advancing justice through strategic legal action.
Through this training, CJA reaffirmed its commitment to building a more skilled and responsive legal community. By equipping legal professionals with specialized knowledge in GBV and SRHR litigation, data protection, and human rights advocacy, the program strengthened their capacity to handle complex cases effectively. This initiative underscores CJA’s dedication to advancing justice for vulnerable populations and promoting legal excellence in Rwanda’s judicial system.