Tanzania is expected to host the 12th biennial conference of the International Women Judges Association (IAWJ) on next Monday, whereby issues related to justice for vulnerable witnesses will be addressed.

Briefing reporters on Thursday in Arusha, IAWJ President Eusebia Munuo said the 5-day forum will be held in northern Tanzania's Arusha.

The retired judge of the Tanzanian Court of Appeal said that more than 600 judges from across the world are expected to attend the conference.

According to Munuo, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete is expected to officiate the conference.

Topics to be discussed at the conference include results based case management and justice for vulnerable witnesses such as vulnerable children, widows, and people with albinism, disabilities and the elderly.

"We came to learn that widows are the victim of gender-based violence in Africa, particularly when they lost their spouses," the official said, adding that the challenge has been fueled by low level of awareness amongst African women.

"This is outdated and need not to be entertained, we have come with a proper strategy to relieve African women from the traumatic experience," said Judge Engera Kileo, President of Tanzanian Women Judges Association (TAWJA).

Kileo said judges have come up with a number of approaches to assist vulnerable groups in the society, including providing leaflets that provide ways in which the needy people will be assisted.

TAWJA, a chapter of the IAWJ, was formed in 2000 with a vision of equal justice for all without discrimination. It has more than 200 members comprising of female judges and magistrate of all levels within the Tanzania judiciary.