Ojukwu Demands Greater Female Representation On The Bench

The executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), has called for increased representation of women in Nigeria’s judiciary, stressing that a stronger female presence on the bench is vital to building a more inclusive and credible justice system.

Ojukwu made the call yesterday as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day of Women, celebrated annually on March 10 to recognise the contributions of women in the administration of justice.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Women Judges on the Bench and Beyond: Protecting Access to Justice,” the NHRC boss said the event offers an important moment to acknowledge the achievements of women in the judiciary while assessing progress in advancing gender equality within the justice sector.

According to him, greater participation of women in the judiciary strengthens public trust in the rule of law and ensures that justice systems reflect the diversity of the societies they serve.

He, however, noted that, despite global progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in many judicial institutions, particularly at leadership levels and called for deliberate policies to dismantle structural barriers that limit their advancement.

Ojukwu added that women judges in Nigeria and the world had demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism and resilience, while also inspiring younger generations of female lawyers to pursue careers in the legal profession.

Beyond their adjudicatory duties, he said, many women judges play critical roles as mentors and advocates, contributing significantly to the advancement of human rights, particularly in cases involving gender-based violence, discrimination, and protection of vulnerable groups.

Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to gender equality, Ojukwu urged justice sector stakeholders to promote mentorship opportunities, eliminate gender bias within institutions, and create pathways that enable more women to occupy leadership positions in the judiciary.