The Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has called for stronger and more practical legal pathways to enhance the protection of women and girls in Nigeria, stressing that existing laws must translate into real access to justice for victims of gender-based violence.
Justice Alogba noted that Nigeria already possesses a solid constitutional, statutory, regional and international legal framework for safeguarding the rights of women and girls. He cited key provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), including Section 33 on the right to life, Section 34 on the right to dignity of the human person and Section 42 on freedom from discrimination.
He made the remarks during an International Women’s Day roundtable themed “Rights, Justice, Actions for All Women and Girls,” organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos.
According to him, while the constitutional guarantees are robust, their true value lies in effective implementation and accessibility to citizens. He stressed that justice must go beyond legislation to ensure accessibility, enforceability and effectiveness in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
Justice Alogba highlighted several federal statutory protections designed to strengthen women’s rights and access to justice. These include the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which criminalises domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, stalking and emotional abuse, while also providing protection orders and compensation for victims.
He also referenced the Child Rights Act, which incorporates international child protection standards and safeguards girls from child marriage, sexual exploitation, abuse and neglect. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he added, has improved criminal justice efficiency through mechanisms such as speedy trial procedures, protection of victims and witnesses, and restrictions on excessive adjournments.
At the state level, the Chief Judge said Lagos has emerged as a reform-driven jurisdiction through progressive legal frameworks such as the Criminal Law of Lagos State, which criminalises various forms of sexual and domestic offences.
He also pointed to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, established to coordinate response mechanisms to domestic and sexual violence in the state.
Justice Alogba further highlighted the establishment of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, a specialised court designed to ensure expedited adjudication and sensitive handling of gender-based violence cases. According to him, the court reduces secondary trauma for survivors, encourages victim participation and improves conviction rates through specialised judicial expertise.
Noting that delays in the justice system often discourage victims from pursuing cases, he said expanding specialised courts nationwide would significantly strengthen the fight against gender-based violence.
He also explained that Nigerian courts can rely on regional and international human rights instruments when interpreting domestic laws.
These include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is domesticated and enforceable in Nigerian courts, and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, which provides specific protections for women’s rights.
At the global level, he referenced the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as important frameworks guiding equality and effective legal remedies.
To translate these frameworks into practical protection, Justice Alogba outlined several pathways, including the full domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and Child Rights legislation across all states, expansion of specialised sexual offences courts beyond Lagos, and continuous judicial training in gender-sensitive adjudication.
He also called for stronger legal aid mechanisms for indigent women, strict enforcement of protection orders and the adoption of technological innovations to reduce delays in court proceedings.
According to him, there is also a need to create platforms for post-trauma rehabilitation and financial support for survivors of violence.
Director-General of the NIIA, Eghosa Osaghae, represented by Professor Joshua Bolarinwa, Head of the Security and Strategic Studies Division, described International Women’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, wisdom and contributions of women across the world.
He noted that the 2026 campaign theme, “Give to Gain,” emphasises collaboration, mentorship and mutual support as key drivers of gender equality and sustainable development.
According to him, investing in women through mentorship, digital literacy and economic empowerment will help move many from vulnerability to sustainability while strengthening communities.
Also speaking, Dr Omotola Ilesanmi, Acting Head of the Gen. Leo Irabor Early Warning System Centre at NIIA, said conflicts in Nigeria disproportionately affect women, often leading to displacement, sexual violence and economic marginalisation.
She noted that women play critical roles in conflict prevention at community levels but are frequently excluded from formal negotiations.
Senior Research Fellow at the NIIA, Dr Philippa Osim Inyang, said that despite international conventions, women’s rights in Nigeria are still frequently violated. She added that although CEDAW is recognised, it has not been fully implemented in Nigeria.
She also observed that Nigeria has yet to domesticate several international treaties, limiting their impact on women’s rights.
Publisher of Inside Watch Africa, Oluwaseyi Adeyemo, stressed the importance of using all available resources and opportunities for the collective benefit of both men and women.
He called for collaboration between genders to utilise strengths for mutual growth rather than oppression.
Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nnenna Eze, represented by Dr Okwuchi Chima-Agbara, said the United Nations theme for this year’s celebration highlights the urgent need to bridge the gap between legal provisions and practical justice.
Eze reaffirmed FIDA’s commitment to protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of indigent women, children and other vulnerable groups, noting that legal empowerment remains central to achieving gender equity and sustainable development.
She added that collaboration among institutions is essential in addressing gender-based violence, economic exclusion and legal disenfranchisement affecting women.
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