Women Judges from across the country. Photo Credit Ifeoma Nwovu/ Radio Nigeria
President of the National Association of Women Judges in Nigeria, Justice Jummai Sankey, has pushed for more female judges to be appointed to positions in the judiciary to advance gender inclusiveness.
This was said by Justice Sankey at the Association’s Biennial National conference in 2023, which was held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
In order to further the work of women judges nationally in the pursuit of equality, judicial independence, and the rule of law, the National Association of Women Judges in Nigeria was established about 30 years ago.
Its aim was to advance human rights and equal justice by empowering women on the bench to overcome gender bias in law.
Justice Jummai Sankey who described the statistical breakdown of women Judges in the country as impressive emphasized on the urgent need to end violence against women and children in the society.
She said: “Currently, the percentage of women judges in Nigeria is 32% just as the number of judicial officials, head of courts has also been encouraging”.
“Statistics shows that in the judiciary, women are more in number compared to other arms of government, going by the 35% affirmative action advocated.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola said the meeting would serve as an avenue to exchange ideas on how to eradicate violence against women and girls in the country.
The theme of this year’s conference is; the woman judge in the 21st century.
Reporting by Ifeoma Nwovu; Editing by Julian Osamoto