By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
Women Lawyers in Sokoto under the umbrella of Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) with support from Co-Impact Wednesday held a State Level Consultation with Judicial Officers on progression and leadership in the judiciary.
The consultation with it’s theme: “Probing Women’s Career Progression And Leadership Pathways In The Judiciary”, also featured several considered encounberances in the system.
Speaking in her welcome address, the Country Vice/ National President FIDA Nigeria, Eliana Martins represented by Mrs. Amina Suzanah Agbaje, the CVP Emerita decried gender imbalance in legal field, adding however that they are simply asking for fair representation in leadership position thus advocating for equity not equality.
Noting how some lawyers are underrepresented in leadership of the Nigerian judiciary, Mrs Agbaje divulged that only 4 of the judges of the Supreme Court are women.
“This dialogue supported by our partner Co- Impact provides the platform to probe women’s barriers and experiences in their career trajectory ranging from entry, retention, progression, thriving and leadership roles while advancing gender equity within the judiciary”, Eliana Martins submitted.
On her part, Sokoto State FIDA chairperson, Barrister Zainab Aliyu said despite the
progress made thus far, especially in the areas of having more some lawyers, more still needed to be done towards achieving the desired goal to have appreciable representation of women in the leadership positions of the judiciary.
Giving overview and objectives of the consultation as well as it’s expected outcomes, the Project Team Lead, Mr Ezikiel Godbless Nandom said the scenario is such that requires more advocacy and reorientation.
While taking participants through the dynamics of leadership progression in the judiciary, representative of the Country Vice National President, Mr Agbaje guided their discussion entry into the judiciary point to work place experiences, career progression, leadership and decision making roles as well as solutions and pathways forward.
At the brainstorming and prioritization agenda of the 1 day consultative session, emphasise was placed on both short, medium and long term solutions capable of gaurateeing seamless career progression for women lawyers in the judiciary.
Amongst recommendations raised were certain institutional changes that needed to be made, as well as strengthening the support system.
