The new judicial approach in Jigawa State by the Emir of Dutse, Dr Muhammad Nuhu Sunusi under the improved Traditional Justice System (TJS) has spurred hundreds of women in the state to seek justice through mediation in domestic and family dispute among others, AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE and MUHAMMAD ZANGINA KURA report.Women and children rights has been a source of concern in several public discussions in Jigawa State of recent times. The reason being the fact that the duo are weaker groups in the society and also often being denied their liberty and access to justice.Since time immemorial, women have been facing maltreatment including physical and sexual harassment, discrimination, alienation and inequality established by ungodly cultural belief of different society.This is not only the case in Jigawa State but in a large swathe of northern Nigeria to the anguish and suffering of several women and children.Several persons have in the past taken advantage of the ostensibly cultural beliefs which has been argued as not in tandem with doctrine of any divine religion to deter women from taking part or participating in otherwise legal and fairly competitive ventures to get better economic and social life.Instead of allowing women to compete with their male counterparts in the race to exploit their potential for material acquisition, they are often relegated to as a mire commodities even as slaves in cases, which can be transferred from one hand to another at will.Such inhuman and ugly treatment perpetuated on women has led to the emergence of several national and international groups as well as individuals seeking justice for women and children.Many have called for end to the trends of women rights violation and emancipate them from the shackles of mens exploitation and cultural alienation.Worried by the negative impact of such practices on his subjects, the Emir of Dutse in Jagawa State, Dr Muhammad Nuhu Sunusi has risen in defence of the vulnerable in the society.The traditional ruler is one of the leaders who has shown passion and selfless commitment to ensure justice and fairness to all members of the society in respect of gender, age and social status.In his aspiration to see every one enjoy his or her human liberty as a free born person in his emirate, he initiated what he termed Improve Traditional Justice System.The Improved Traditional Justice System (TJS) offers an important avenue for women to seek remedies through mediation especially in domestic and family dispute, and also settle land and other civil disputes through dialogue and mediation among the community members.The new approach initiated by the emir appears to provide more access to justice for the women, children and other vulnerable members of the society. While an option for appeal is also available.By introducing the approach, LEADERSHIP Weekend findings has shown that hundreds of women in the Emirate have presented their complaints before the reconciliation committee mostly chaired by traditional leaders of the communities with the support of elders and religious leaders.The techniques of using religious and traditional injunctions, better knowledge of complainants background made the resolution of dispute easier.Reports has it that the new system has also facilitated wide acceptance of the ITJS around the Emirate.It had also received boost from the state government, donor agencies and civil society groups like Justice for All (J4A), DFID and Jigawa Women Network for Access To Justice who organized and sponsored series of training to the hundreds of traditional rulers on modern techniques to addressing complicated matters.The advocacy organizations also embarked on door to door campaigns to enlighten the local people on how to access justice through the traditional justice system.The system also has a comprehensive system of record keeping, for reference and easy review of any resolution if need arise.The Emir has recently commended Jigawa Women Network for Access To Justice (JIWNAJ) on their door to door campaign to enlighten women on access to justice and the importance of patronizing the ITJS which is at their door steps.The traditional ruler revealed that, as a result of JIWNAJ massive enlightenment campaign there are now significant increase on number of women who are patronizing improve traditional justice system for resolving their social and domestic disputes in his Emirate.Dr Sunusi stated this while speaking at a one day workshop on Awareness Rising for Using Improve Traditional Justice System organised for 72 Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and 24 Districts Heads by JIWNAJ in Dutse recently.The Emir who was represented by Jakadan Sulhu (ambassador of peace),Alhaji Sunusi Shitu promised to come up with modalities for regular training of traditional leaders on using improve traditional justice system to settle civil matters and dispute among their people.Speaking at the Seminar the JIWNAJ chairperson, Hajiya Uwani Yunusa said, the Traditional Justice System (TJS) offers an important avenue where women seek remedies through mediation especially in domestic and family dispute.In view of that, we embarked on campaign to enhance women awareness on their right for access to justice, encouraging them to patronizing TJS for seeking redress instead of going to court which involved complex and long processTraditional Justice System which was formed on using dialogue, mediation to reconcile two or more aggrieved persons is more accessible to women, it has no coast implication, it minimize hatred and more confidential.She then called on traditional rulers who are the custodian and monitors of TJS to be more accommodative in handling the procedure to earn the confidence of complainants, particularly women.The impact of the Emirs initiative had already started manifesting as hundreds of women were said to have laid their complaints before the TJS and was resolved amicably.Women access to justice in the Emirate has no doubt been enhanced and their confidence on the society restored by equity, fairness without fear of oppression.The traditional justice system appeared to be working for the people and several stakeholders have called on other Emirates in the north to adopt it to further the course of justice for women and children.
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