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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for stronger judicial commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. She made the call while declaring open a capacity-strengthening and dialogue workshop in Abuja organised by the National Judicial Institute in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice, with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the SPRiNG programme.
The workshop, themed: “Operationalising the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security,” sought to harmonise inputs for the validation of a National Judicial Guide on WPS.
Kekere-Ekun said where courts were “informed, responsive, and properly supported, they strengthen accountability, deter wrongdoing and promote public confidence in the rule of law.” She stressed that judicial commitment to the National Action Plan “must be reflected in judicial reasoning and courtroom practice.”
She acknowledged that: “Despite Nigeria’s strong and progressive legal framework, gaps remained between legal standards and the experiences of many court users,” noting that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and displaced women “often face procedural obstacles, evidentiary difficulties and institutional barriers that limit their access to justice.”
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She added that a structured judicial guide would respond directly to justice system needs while preserving judicial independence.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the Head, Sexual and Gender Based violence Response Unit, Mrs Yewande Gbola Awopetu, commended the NJI and SPRING for strengthening justice delivery through inclusive and rights-based approaches.
The NJI Administrator, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, said the initiative aligns with global standards and supports implementation of UNSCR 1325.
From the FCDO, Cliff Gai said the UK body “is honoured to participate in this collaborative engagement” and reaffirmed its commitment through the £38 million SPRiNG programme to build “a more stable Nigeria where citizens benefit from reduced violence and improved resilience.”
