Governor Sanwo-Olu Tasks Female Judges to Collaborate and Identify Challenges for Better Justice System
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has asked women judges, to identify obstacles that hamper women’s advancement and develop strategies to overcome them.
In his speech, he urged them to lay the groundwork for an equal future for women in law.
This was the charge given by Governor Sanwo-Olu at the 1st South-West Zonal Workshop of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN).
This year’s theme was “Breaking Leadership Barriers for Women in Legal Professions”.
In her remarks, the Governor, who was represented by the State Government Secretary, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, expressed her satisfaction that Nigerian women judges can compete effectively and favourably with their international counterparts in dispensing their sacred duties as members of the hallowed inner bar.
Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court for her efforts in providing a platform for women judges to come together and build a structure that would sustain the legal system of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, also noted that women are becoming more successful and advancing in the legal profession. He cited the example of Lawal Aminat Odunayo, a young woman who was the Overall Best Student of the Year at the Nigerian Law School’s ‘Call to Bar’ ceremony held on March 7 in Abuja.
Justice Alogba added that Lawal Aminat Odunayo was also the Best Promising Student of the Year and the Best Female Student in Civil Litigation.
Earlier, Justice Kekere-Ekun, who serves as the President of NAWJN, emphasized during her opening speech that although women have made significant strides in achieving leadership positions in the legal profession, there are still many obstacles preventing them from reaching the pinnacle of their careers.
Justice Kekere-Ekun listed several challenges that women face, including domestic responsibilities, difficulty maintaining a work-life balance, lack of support at home, unfavourable working conditions, such as frequent transfers for women with young families, gender bias, and a lack of mentorship programs, among others.
She acknowledged that women have innate skills and the ability to multitask, which can be beneficial for nation-building and policy-making. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the need for women’s participation in policy-making and ensure their inclusion in the promotion of gender-sensitive policies that provide greater access to justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also discussed the partnership between the International Association of Women Judges and Co-Impact, a philanthropic collaborative fund, to establish a multi-year program that promotes sustainable leadership pathways for women in leadership roles in the Global South.
The association is also working with affiliate associations in five countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines, to address and develop strategies to overcome the barriers that women in leadership positions face in the profession. The initiative is called “Women In Leadership In Law” (WILIL).
The executives of NAWJN organized workshops in the six geo-political zones of the country to highlight these challenges and propose solutions that suit the local environment.
