CJN Urges Judges to Promote Women's Peace and Security Agenda in Nigeria

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has called upon judges to prioritize the advancement of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda within the justice system.

Addressing participants at a Capacity Strengthening and Dialogue Workshop for Judicial Officers focused on the WPS agenda in Abuja on Thursday, she highlighted this crucial initiative.

The workshop was held in conjunction with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and supported by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) program funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The CJN underscored the essential role of the judiciary in facilitating the WPS agenda, asserting that a responsive, accessible, and accountable justice system is foundational to achieving lasting peace and justice in Nigeria.

She noted that the workshop, themed “Operationalising the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, NAP3,” aimed to validate the National Judicial Guide on Women, Peace, and Security.

Kekere-Ekun elaborated that implementing NAP3 entails embedding core WPS principles into case management, judicial procedures, and judicial training.

The judiciary, she stressed, must undertake clear obligations to safeguard rights, foster involvement, assure accountability, and ensure access to justice for women, children, and other vulnerable populations impacted by conflict and insecurity.

"Courts serve not only to settle disputes but are also charged with upholding rights, preserving human dignity, and maintaining societal order. Any delays or unresponsiveness in court processes can weaken justice," she remarked.

The CJN argued that when courts are well-informed and appropriately supported, they can enhance accountability and bolster public confidence in the rule of law.

She encouraged a judicial commitment to realizing the national action plan, which should manifest in judicial operations and decision-making in the courtrooms.

Despite Nigeria's progressive legal framework, Kekere-Ekun acknowledged that significant gaps persist between legal standards and the experiences of many court-goers, particularly survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, internally displaced women and girls, and individuals with disabilities. These groups often face procedural, evidentiary, and institutional hurdles that hinder their access to justice.

She explained that these difficulties do not stem from a lack of commitment from judicial officers but reflect the complexity of such cases, limited data, evolving legal standards, and insufficient practical guidance tailored to conflict and gender-based issues.

The integration of the judicial guide into education and training through the NJC was recommended, with hopes that it would uphold consistency while allowing judges to exercise discretion in their rulings.

During the event, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, acknowledged the NBA's efforts in partnership with SPRING to enhance justice delivery through inclusive and rights-based methods, particularly concerning the involvement, protection, and access of women to justice.

Fagbemi, represented by Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head of the Sexual and Gender- Based Violence Response Unit, emphasized the judiciary's central role in implementing constitutional rights, statutory protections, and international commitments for women, particularly those affected by violence and inequality.

He described the workshop as a significant platform for discussion, allowing for sharing experiences, identifying challenges, and developing practical solutions to improve judicial responses within the Women, Peace, and Security framework.

Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of NJI, reiterated the Institute's commitment to facilitating initiatives that align judicial practices with international standards. He expressed that the collaboration aimed at garnering support for implementing UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.

In conclusion, the CJN reiterated the judiciary's pivotal role in promoting the WPS agenda, especially in areas of prevention, protection, relief, and recovery, asserting that courts must actively contribute to accountability in cases involving conflict-related and gender-based violence.