The Nigerian Bar Association Women’s Forum (NBAWF) on Thursday, 31 March 2022, began its 2nd annual conference with the theme; “The Invisible Hands of Gender Bias; Championing Collective Change”.

The conference which is being held in Lagos the Civic Centre in Lagos and virtual, had six plenary sessions on the first day.

The first day witnessed great turn up of lawyers from all walks of life. the Chairperson, Conference Committee, Adetola Bucknor-Taiwo, read her remarks, the welcome remark was made by the Chairperson of the Women’s Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, the General Secretary of the NBA, Mrs Joyce Oduah, read her opening remark. Followed after was a Goodwill messages from Mrs Chioma Uzodinma, the First Lady of Imo State; Anna Isiaku Baba, the First lady of Taraba State; and Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Deputy Governor of Ogun state.

Hon. Justice Roli Harriman, High Court Judge, Delta State; Dorothy Udeme Ufot, founding and Managing Partner of Dorothy Ufot & Co; Joyce Oduah, General Secretary, NBA; Rashidat Mohammed, Principal Partner, Rashidat Mohammed & Co. (Rahama Law Chamber) and Ayo Obe Partner, Ogunsola Shonibare LP & Notaries Public, at the first plenary session, unanimously believe that although gender bias is a reality, it ceases to exist once a woman chooses not to recognize it.

While speaking on the topic; “Hidden Biases In Courtroom Dynamics: Gender And The Judiciary” which was chaired by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, Broadcaster, Activist & Founder, Purple Women Foundation, these eminent female personalities in the legal industry, shared their experiences as well as addressed the concerns on “Gender Bias”.

According to Hon. Justice Roli Harriman, of the High Court of Delta State, “For me, I have not felt any bias since I was called to the bar in 1984.

“When we started the Nigerian Weekly Law Report , I didn’t see myself as a woman but as a lawyer! So, I believe you can overcome any bias by working hard,” she said

According to her, in the Judiciary it cannot be said that there is a bias, as records show that there had been a long line of female judges with the President of the Appeal Court being also a female.

“Bias can only take place when a person seeks for unmerited benefits.

“If you work hard, it may be there but you won’t notice it,” she said

On her part, General Secretary of the NBA Mrs Joyce Oduah FICMC, urged women to always “dare” the extra ordinary.

Having a throw back on her victory at the 2020 NBA polls, she said that in spite of all odds and the constant remarks by people who believed that the position of general secretary was almost an exclusive preserve for the male gender, she nonetheless forged ahead with determination.

“With determination and zeal, I became the first female general secretary after 38 years, and this is something I don’t want to happen again; Therefore, women must wake up and take the charge”

Once you are focused and determined, you can get it; So, the truth is that you have the capacity, it is in you, so bring it out,” she said

On her part, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Dorothy Ufot, also shares the view that determination and resilience makes the whole difference.

“I was determined to become a SAN, but I never wanted to make that application twice as it was almost the norm; so, I followed the rules and I discovered that it was attainable after all.

“I was focused, and as people were determined that i wouldn’t make it, I was more determined to make it.

“So, the bias is there, but you need not allow it to affect you,” she said.

On her part, Mrs Ayo Obe described her journey in her first law firm as quite an experience, as she had determined to establish the fact that she could make a difference, which she was successfully able to prove.

According to her, “I am happy to say that by the time I was leaving the law firm of GOK Ajayi after 12 years, he was in fact in search of another female lawyer who could fill my space. ,” she said

“Meanwhile on her part, Mrs. Rashida Mohammed, a passionate gender activist, believes that issues of gender bias is not only limited to the legal profession but cut across several other spheres even in the home.

“I was supposed to be married after my secondary school but I declined because I wanted to further my education, So, I eventually got married in my 300 level.,” she said

According to her, she became pregnant and discovered that certain jobs were not assigned to her in the office, owing to her status as a woman as well as being pregnant.

She, however, noted that in spite of the somewhat bias, she was able to clear all doubts and prove herself worthy, when she eventually took up a case file from her principal to move an application in court which was granted.

She said: “That was when I earned my first N10,000 which was like a million to me.

“Gender bias actually does exist but you must be hardworking and determined to overcome it,” she said