Women judges from Africa gather in Nigeria's capital to bolster legal frameworks

Bound by a shared pursuit of judicial excellence, women judges from across Africa convened in Abuja to craft meaningful, actionable solutions at a four-day conference held at the Body of Benchers Complex.

Chief Justices and Heads of Courts from various countries agreed that the continent deserves a justice system anchored in impartiality, accessibility, and effectiveness, and participants broadly agreed that the degree to which citizens trust the rule of law tends to reflect the overall performance of the justice system.

Views diverged on the question of gender inequality, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, emerging as a leading voice for greater female representation in judicial leadership positions across participating nations, especially Nigeria.

According to Justice Kekere-Ekun, excellence in the administration of justice requires a thoughtful examination of the relationship between gender equality and the legal system, and she argued that the full and effective participation of women within the Judiciary has far-reaching implications for justice delivery.

Justice Kekere-Ekun insisted that the presence of women on the Bench enriches the administration of justice in meaningful ways, from broadening jurisprudential perspectives to reducing unconscious biases and strengthening public confidence in legal institutions.

Speaking at the opening session of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) African Regional Conference, the CJN said that while notable gains have been made, particularly at entry and intermediate levels, significant work remains to be done in ensuring equal representation within leadership positions and at the highest levels of judicial decision-making.

The CJN emphasized that the pursuit of gender equality within the Judiciary is not merely a matter of representation, but fundamentally a matter of institutional legitimacy, and a Judiciary that reflects the diversity of the society it serves is better positioned to command public confidence and to appreciate the varied experiences that come before it.

Diversity strengthens judicial deliberation, enriches legal reasoning, and ultimately enhances the quality of justice delivered, according to Justice Kekere-Ekun, who also stressed that the Judiciary, like many institutions, emerged from historical structures that often offered limited opportunities for women.

While considerable progress has been achieved, Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that institutions must remain vigilant to ensure that they are not constrained by the very inequalities they are called upon to remedy, and ultimately, gender inclusion must be viewed as an indispensable component of the Judiciary’s commitment to fairness, equality, and the rule of law.

Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Lady Justice Martha Koome, noted that women judges have made a significant impact in family law, children’s cases, and matters involving sexual and gender-based violence, and emphasized the need for transnational collaboration among women judges in Africa.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, pledged Nigeria’s commitment to advancing judicial reforms that champion gender inclusivity, and acknowledged that the role of women judges extends beyond the courtroom, describing the conference as a vibrant testament to the unwavering commitment of women judges across the continent to protect democratic institutions and dismantle systemic barriers.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, asserted that women on the bench enrich the judiciary by widening perspectives and enhancing the depth of judicial reasoning in the administration of justice, and described the conference theme: Promoting Excellence in the Administration of Justice, as both timely and important.

Senator Tinubu said that the pursuit of excellence in the justice system is an obligation and a moral imperative, and across Africa, women judges have broken through long-standing barriers and, by their resilience and excellence, paved the way for future generations of women in the legal profession.

In her welcome address, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, noted that in a rapidly evolving global landscape characterized by complex legal challenges, technological advancements, and increasing public expectations, the judiciary must continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, competence, fairness, and accountability.

The President of the IAWJ, Lady Justice Mina Sougrati, said the conference provided an important opportunity for women judges from across Africa to share experiences, strengthen professional networks, and exchange ideas on advancing justice, protecting human rights, and promoting gender equality within judicial systems.

According to the IAWJ President, across the African continent, women judges continue to demonstrate outstanding leadership in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that courts remain accessible, fair, and responsive to the needs of all members of society, and the work being done by IAWJ members contributes significantly to strengthening public confidence in the judiciary and advancing justice for women, children, and vulnerable communities.

As calls for the appointment of more women judges grow louder, the conference undoubtedly provided a rare opportunity for the cross-fertilisation of ideas among legal scholars across Africa.