May 28, 7:30 pm

UBC Robson Square Theatre

A new documentary film looks at how a groundbreaking training model for integrating the justice system, developed in British Columbia, is now being used in South Africa and Ethiopia to train police, prosecutors and judges to work together to combat the rampant domestic violence in these countries.

The showing is part of a Canadian tour by the African project leaders.

They are Mahdere Paulos, a former high-court judge and the executive director of the Ethiopian Women Lawyer’s Association, and Tsidi Kambula, a prosecutor for the South African National Prosecuting Authority.

These women will share the challenges and lessons learned from their partnership with the Law Courts Education Society of British Columbia (LCES) which encompasses policy makers, legal professionals, victim service workers, and the general public.

The documentary depicts the desperate plight of women and girls in South Africa and Ethiopia, and the efforts of these African women to change the system. The project has been recognized internationally by organizations including UNICEF.

Kambula describes the initiative as being, "a product of an excellent combination of both the Canadian and our own South African expertise in the various areas of domestic violence."

The documentary will be followed by a discussion panel featuring the two women.

Admission is free but seating is limited so come early.