FIDA Nigeria commences the implementation of an Initiative to Advance Gender Equitable Representation and Leadership in Nigeria’s Judiciary with support from Collaborative Philanthropy (Co-Impact)

The international Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is set to commence the implementation of a five (5) years project with specific focus on “Strengthening Women Inclusion and Advancement in Nigeria Judiciary through Institutional Reforms. This initiative is conceptualized due to the narrative that women account for less than 30 percent of judges in Nigeria’s superior courts of record as of 2024, with significantly lower representation in Sharia and Customary Courts.

This initiative aims at reforming institutional processes that influence judicial appointments, career progression, and leadership selection of judicial officers at the federal level and across ten states at the sub-national level including Ondo, Ekiti (South West) Ebonyi, Anambra (South East), Sokoto, Kebbi (North West), Yobe (North East), Benue, Kogi & Plateau (North Central) while advancing inclusion, equity and diversity processes to aid effective representation and leadership within the judiciary by working closely with the Federal & State Judicial Service commission.

This initiative will commence with an initial ten months design phase heralding a period to collectively propel a deeper understanding of the Judiciary mandates in the recruitment, appointment, workplace culture, promotion, accountability and discipline of Judicial officers, while co-creating strategies at addressing systemic barriers to gender progression and ensuring a more gender-responsive system with the Judiciary leadership.

This initiative will further institutionalize gender-sensitive governance reforms in appointments and promotions, routine gender audits, mentorship/career development, and safe workplace standards for women judicial officers in the Judiciary.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Eliana Martins (Mrs.)
Country Vice /National President