Women attorneys in Nigeria have demanded immediate changes to tackle long-standing social, organizational, and policy obstacles that limit their advancement within the legal field.
They claimed that even with their credentials and achievements, the field continues to be predominantly male.
Female attorneys placed the call during a roundtable discussion focused on enhancing women's leadership within Nigeria's legal industry in Abuja. The event was hosted by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with Co-Impact, a worldwide philanthropic initiative dedicated to fostering fair and inclusive systems.
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), stated that the legal field embodies deep-seated patriarchal values that limit women's roles in leadership.
A recent study entitled "Barriers and Bridges: Women's Progression into Leadership Roles within Nigeria's Legal Field" conducted by WARDC and Co-Impact has highlighted ongoing gender inequalities in Nigeria's legal industry.
The data indicates that by 2022, women accounted for just 28% of Supreme Court justices, 27% of Court of Appeal judges, and 35% of Federal High Court judges—numbers that fall short of the 35% target outlined in Nigeria's National Gender Policy.
Within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the presence of women is still limited, with only five of the 128 branches being headed by females as of 2023. By 2024, only 35 out of the 720 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were women, and just four of the 37 attorneys-general were female.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has named just two women as Chief Justices.
Akiyode-Afolabi mentioned that female attorneys encounter systemic discrimination and sexual harassment, especially within private practice, and there are no proper avenues for addressing these issues.
It is essential to change the culture and values of the legal field throughout all key areas—such as in education, legal work, private law firms, or within the ministry of justice—to help more women reach leadership roles.
"Having women leading the legal field is not only a smart move; it can help transform the law and promote more extensive social progress for women. This shift demands a complete rethinking of institutions to better address gender-related requirements," she added.
Mary Wandia, the Regional Director for Africa at Co-Impact, noted that although women are well-qualified, they continue to be notably underrepresented in leadership roles within the legal profession, academia, and the judicial system.
"They are not designed to facilitate women's development from the time of hiring until advancement," she stated.
Wandia mentioned that unfair wages, absence of guidance, and discriminatory practices in training and career advancement contribute to many women leaving the legal profession or being restricted to lower positions.
"This goes beyond a gender matter; it's about fairness. A legal system led by men provides only a single viewpoint," she stated.
She mentioned that reform needs to involve both structural changes and the shifting of perspectives.
Professor Adefunke Bamgbose, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Collaborations at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the significance of enabling female attorneys to take on leadership positions within the legal field.
"Women have frequently been taught to think they are incapable of leadership. We need to confront this belief, as they definitely can," she stated, adding that experienced female attorneys are already guiding younger professionals to support their career progression.
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Tagged: Women and Gender, Nigeria, Legal and Judicial Affairs, West Africa
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