Egypt: Minister of Justice and UNODC Executive Director Inaugurate Women-Friendly Areas for Victims of Violence at the New Cairo Court

As part of the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), two established women-friendly areas at the New Cairo Court were inaugurated on Monday.

These secure areas, annexed to the courtrooms, have been fully refurbished and equipped with modern communication technology in line with international standards to safeguard women’s rights and avoid any form of threats or secondary victimization during judicial proceedings.

The opening was under the auspices of H.E. Counselor Adnan Fangari, Minister of Justice, Ms. Ghada Waly, UNODC Executive Director, along with Judge Amal Ammar, Head of the National Council of Women, Judge Abdel Akher Malqab Fawaz, President of the Cairo Court of Appeal and Member of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the relevant judges and assistants to the Minister of Justice.

The women-friendly areas provide victims of violence with a safe environment in which they can remain throughout court hearings, shielded from any negative influence or pressure from adversarial parties. This measure is designed to prevent secondary victimization or trauma. These areas also serve witnesses, ensuring their protection during proceedings. These secure rooms also provide a safe environment for children and juveniles who are victims of violence. Equipped with advanced Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems directly connected to courtrooms, these areas enable victims and witnesses to provide their testimonies in a safer and more supportive setting.

The inauguration of the women-friendly areas at the New Cairo Court marks another significant milestone in long-standing partnership between Ministry of Justice and UNODC to uphold the rights and preserve dignity of women and girls victims of violence. This initiative is part of the project on strengthening the capacities of the Egyptian Judiciary to improve victims’ access to justice” with a focus on women and persons with disabilities, funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This follows the successful establishment of the secured area at the East Alexandria Court in December 2023, bringing the total number of secured rooms to three. It further reinforces joint efforts to create a legal environment that meets procedural requirements while guaranteeing the full protection of victims’ rights, thereby strengthening justice mechanisms.

It is worth noting that these efforts fall under the broader umbrella of programmes and initiatives implemented by UNODC in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice. They encompass making courts more accessible for persons with disabilities, strengthening forensic services, and enhancing cooperation to counter cybercrime, protect cultural property from trafficking, and address irregular migration and trafficking in persons.