Leading international law experts have called for greater commitment to addressing barriers to the active participation of women and girls in all key economic sectors in order to accelerate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.

These recommendations were made at the inaugural session of the Committee on Women, International Law and Development of the International Law Association Nigeria (ILA Nigeria). The Committee was inaugurated in December 2024 by the President of ILA Nigeria, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi SAN, with Dr. Pedi Obani as the pioneer Chairperson of the Committee. The online session had in attendance the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Nigeria, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the keynote speaker, Mrs. Nella Andew-Ewa, SAN, moderator, Dr. Irekpitan Okukpon of the University of Bradford, UK, as well as other leading gender and development law and policy experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom and beyond.

Themed “Understanding Gender Roles in the Context of Development”, the insightful keynote lecture by Mrs. Nella Andew-Ewa SAN elaborated a compelling case for prioritising gender equality and the role of law in eliminating discrimination against women and girls in various spheres of public life as well as within families. She explored the intersections between cultural practices and modernisation and the intervening socially constructed norms which affect gender roles and acceptable behaviours for men and women. Emphasising the imperative of promoting gender equality, the Learned Silk stated that: “Gender equality is not just a matter of social justice. It is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Societies that empower women and promote gender-inclusive policies tend to experience stronger economic growth, improved health outcomes and greater social stability.” The lecture identified education, political representation, climate change, and digitisation as some of the key dimensions though which gender inequality adversely affects development outcomes. She reminded the gathering that “As the African Union’s Agenda 2063 underscores, gender equality is not just a goal; it is the key to transforming Africa into a global powerhouse. We must move beyond rhetoric and implement policies that create tangible and lasting change.” She called for more collaboration, research to generate much-needed data, and advocacy for gender equality.

Reiterating the Committee’s commitment to impactful interventions, Dr. Pedi Obani, the Chairperson of the Committee, who is also an Associate Professor of Law at University of Bradford and a leading expert on gender inclusive climate change governance, noted that: “the Committee aims to promote the mainstreaming of women’s rights and gender equality as a priority in the international, regional, and national development agenda. We are committed to fostering inclusive dialogues on the social and legal barriers that impact women and families, generating a strong evidence base for gender transformative interventions, advocating for policy reforms that empower communities, and supporting initiatives that ensure equitable opportunities for all.” She intimated that the Committee plans to advance the discourse on gender transformation in Nigeria’s private and public sector through four main pathways, including: research and capacity building; community outreach and advocacy; legislative reforms and policy engagement; and networking. Dr. Pedi Obani further outlined upcoming research and capacity building programmes of the Committee relating to climate change, energy security, water, sanitation and hygiene, which would directly address some of the key recommendations of the keynote speaker about addressing the data deficit and advocating for laws to address gender inequalities. She called on new members, from law and other disciplines to join the Committee and contribute to its initiatives in Nigeria and beyond.

In light of recent discussions about women’s political representation and the need for legislative safeguards to encourage women’s participation in decision-making and governance at all levels, legislative interventions such as the Bill for Special Legislative Seats for Women should be widely encouraged. Noting the urgent need for more women legislators, Dr. Obani notes that “Women make up around half of the world’s population. The current underrepresentation of women in the legislature therefore means that a significant demographic is excluded from the lawmaking process. The involvement of women would ensure that their diverse experiences can be better reflected, leading to more comprehensive and inclusive outcomes. Moreover, gender equality is a human right. Taking steps to guarantee the representation of women in the legislature is therefore not only the right thing to do, but a legal obligation. As well as ensuring the legitimacy of the lawmaking process, the laws would better reflect the priorities of the entire population. In addition to legislative guarantees, it is also important to invest in research, capacity building and systemic changes to enable women who so desire to take up the emerging opportunities in the legislature and other fields of endeavour.”

The ILA was founded in Brussels in 1873. The ILA now has some 4,500 members in 45 national and regional branches around the world. It is headquartered in London under the leadership of the global chair, Professor Christine Chinkin. The Nigerian Branch of the ILA regularly hosts innovative lectures, seminars, conferences, and other capacity development programs to advance the study and understanding of international law in Nigeria. To learn more about the ILA, its activities, and events visit http://www.ila-hq.org