Nigeria Named One Of Five Countries Selected For Women In Leadership In Law Project
Nigeria has been named as one of five countries selected to implement the Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) project, an initiative spearheaded by the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in collaboration with Co-Impact, a global philanthropic fund.
The three-year program aims to create sustainable leadership pathways for women in the judiciary across the Global South, encompassing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.
The WILIL initiative focuses on identifying and eliminating barriers hindering women from entering, thriving, and advancing in judicial leadership roles. Nigeria, along with South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, and the Philippines, will develop country-specific strategies to address unique challenges and foster progress in gender equality within the judiciary.
The project coincides with the tenure of two prominent judicial leaders in Nigeria. Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, inaugurated as the President of IAWJ in March 2023, and Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria and President of the National Association of Women Judges Nigeria (NAWJN), have provided crucial leadership during this transformative initiative.
To oversee the project’s implementation in Nigeria, NAWJN has appointed two retired justices of the Court of Appeal as judicial coordinators: Hon. Justice Chinwe Iyizoba (rtd) and Hon. Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan (rtd). They will collaborate with a technical committee comprising four serving judges: Hon. Justice Tamunoigoni Susan Oji, Hon. Justice Angela Obi Moku, Hon. Justice Binta Mohammed, and Hon. Justice Mujibat Iyabode Oshodi.
The WILIL project represents a landmark effort to promote gender balance in judicial leadership. By addressing systemic challenges and fostering supportive environments, the initiative seeks to enable women judges to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to judicial reform and the rule of law.
Nigeria’s inclusion in this global project underscores its commitment to advancing gender equity within the judiciary. As the details of the program are finalized, it is expected to serve as a model for other countries, demonstrating the transformative impact of empowering women in leadership roles.
This initiative is poised to not only strengthen the judiciary but also inspire broader societal change by highlighting the critical role of women leaders in the administration of justice.
