In October 2024, the ESS Creative & Legal Foundation collaborated with the High Court Mediation Centre and FUWAVITA to launch an empowerment program on Inclusive Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for deaf and hard-of-hearing women leaders in Tanzania. Among the participants was Anneth Gerana, a deaf woman with a passion for gender justice who has since emerged as a true changemaker within her community.
Transforming Conflict Resolution at the Community Level
Since participating in the ongoing program, Anneth received an Award "ADR Stakeholder Award Recognition" from the High Court Mediation Center which motivated her to go on and successfully resolved 20 disputes from January 2025 to August 2025 involving deaf individuals in her local community. Using the inclusive mediation skills she acquired during training, she has addressed family misunderstandings, neighborhood disputes, and interpersonal conflicts—all without requiring formal court proceedings.
Her remarkable work exemplifies how empowering the community leaders with appropriate tools creates sustainable, community-based solutions to conflict. Historically, the deaf community has faced significant barriers in accessing justice, compounded by inadequate communication support, limited awareness, and a shortage of trained mediators who understand deaf culture and lived experiences.
A Model for Inclusive Justice
Anneth's success demonstrates that with accessible training and targeted support, deaf leaders can become powerful agents of peace. Her journey shows the core principle of the ESS community-based mediation model: find, empower and include.
"Anneth is living proof that inclusive justice is not a theory—it's a practice," said Erick Mukiza, ESS Director and coordinator of the training. "When we train leaders like her, we create a ripple effect that strengthens the entire community."
This achievement also reflects the Judiciary's growing commitment to people-centered justice, particularly through the leadership of Hon. Judge Zahra Maruma, Hon. Judge Angela Bahati and Hon. Arufani Kweka who champion inclusive mediation in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16.3: Ensure equal access to justice for all.
Looking Forward
Anneth's impact continues to grow as she mediates disputes, mentors emerging leaders, and inspires others in the deaf community. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that justice becomes meaningful when it speaks the language of the people—and truly listens.
Through her work, Anneth is not only mediating individual conflicts but also building a foundation for a more inclusive and accessible justice system that serves all members of society, regardless of their hearing ability.
Image: Anneth Gerana, a deaf leader, stands while mediating a dispute within the deaf community. Bosco Muna, the sign language interpreter from FUWAVITA, is seated on the right side providing interpretation support.