The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement
Advancing Inclusive Justice in Tanzania through Assistive Technology
Published: Dec 17, 2024
Country: Tanzania
Erick Elizeus Mukiza is a Spring 2024 alumnus in the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. This program is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion (HI). The following blog post was written by guest author Erick.
In my work as a disability inclusion advocate and an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) professional, I feel deeply committed to making justice accessible to everyone. Through the Professional Fellows Program (PFP) on Inclusive Civic Engagement, I have gained valuable skills and knowledge that have been instrumental in my efforts with Tanzania’s High Court. This experience has also allowed me to collaborate with inspiring individuals, including Spring 2020 PFP alumna, Aneth Gerana. Aneth is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FUWAVITA, an organization in Tanzania that supports Deaf women and girls with disabilities. She has been a key ally in our shared mission to make justice more inclusive.
Engaging with Tanzania’s High Court for Inclusive Justice
One of the key lessons I learned during the PFP was the importance of using inclusive language and embracing assistive technologies. Tools like CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation), captioning, and screen readers can help break down communication barriers for people with disabilities. My fellowship with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in Washington, DC, gave me practical skills and the confidence to advocate for meaningful change.
As part of my post-fellowship project, Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons in Tanzania: A Campaign for ADR Awareness, I reached out to Hon. Zahra Maruma, Judge in Charge of the High Court Mediation Centre in Tanzania, to introduce my project and its objectives (Figure 1). I shared my PFP experience with her and presented various information demonstrating the positive impact of inclusive practices. Judge Maruma was very receptive, expressing interest in how technology like CART could help the Deaf community access Tanzania’s justice system. This shared commitment to inclusion set the stage for a deeper partnership.
Collaborating with Tanzanian High Court Judges: A Milestone for Inclusion
On August 16, 2024, I was honored to be invited by Judge Maruma to meet with senior judicial officers and judges at the High Court Mediation Centre. During the meeting, I led a session on how to integrate CART and other assistive technologies into the judicial process. I highlighted how these technologies can enhance communication and make the legal process more accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. For many in the meeting, it was their first introduction to how technology can be used to make the justice system more inclusive.
The impact of our collaboration quickly became clear. On October 25, 2024, the High Court Mediation Centre held Tanzania’s first-ever inclusive mediation training for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals (Figure 2). This historic training provided Deaf community members, including women leaders, valuable insights into alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices and helped empower them for their own rights. This training was a significant milestone and reflected the judiciary’s commitment to inclusion in the Tanzanian legal landscape.
Learning From and Collaborating with Spring 2020 PFP Alumna Aneth Gerana
Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of collaborating with Aneth Gerana, a Spring 2020 PFP alumna and a leading advocate for Deaf women and girls with disabilities in Tanzania. Aneth and I share a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of those often overlooked by society. Together, we have worked to ensure our outreach efforts resonate with the Deaf community in Tanzania. FUWAVITA, the organization that Aneth leads, has been instrumental in providing a platform for the Deaf community to engage with ADR, advocate for accessible justice, and support each other in these efforts.
Working with Aneth has strengthened my belief in the power of networks and partnerships. She brings a wealth of experience and community trust, which has opened doors for more inclusive engagement. Her insights into the needs of the Deaf community and her dedication to advocacy have been key to expanding the reach of our project, particularly in engaging Deaf women leaders to further spread ADR awareness.
Looking Ahead: Building a More Inclusive Justice System
As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the mentors, colleagues, and partners who have supported our project. Through continuous engagement with the High Court and the inspiring collaboration with PFP alumni like Aneth, we are laying the foundation for a justice system in Tanzania that serves everyone, including the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Our work is far from over. We are focused on scaling these initiatives to reach more judicial officers and training community leaders to incorporate inclusive practices in their mediation work. This journey has shown the profound impact that deliberate, inclusive actions can have. With each step forward, we move closer to a world where justice is accessible to all.