The Chief Justice of Nigeria,Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has tasked judges on advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the justice system.
Kekere-Ekun, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a Capacity Strengthening and Dialogue Workshop for Judicial Officers on the Women,Peace and Security(WPS)Agenda.
The workshop was organised by the National Judicial Institute(NJI)in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice with support from the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) programme funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The CJN underscored the critical role of the judiciary in advancing the WPS agenda, declaring that sustainable peace and justice in Nigeria depended on a responsive,accessible and accountable justice system.
She said that the workshop convened under the theme “Operationalising the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, NAP3” validated the National Judicial Guide on Women, Peace, and Security.
“For the judiciary,operationalising the NAP III means ensuring that the core principles of women, peace, and security agenda are reflected in how cases are heard, how procedures are applied, and how judges are trained.
“These places clear responsibilities on institutions, including the judiciary, to protect rights, promote participation, ensure accountability, and guarantee access to justice for women, children, and other vulnerable groups affected by conflict, insecurity, and displacement.
“The courts, beyond the resolution of disputes, are institutions entrusted with the protection of rights, the preservation of human dignity, and the maintenance of social order.
“Where court processes are slow, inaccessible, or insensitive to the realities of conflict and gender-based harm, justice is weakened.”
According to Kekere-Ekun,where courts are informed, responsive, and properly supported,they strengthen accountability, deter wrongdoing and promote public confidence in the rule of law.
She said that judicial commitment aimed at giving effects to the national action plan should therefore, be reflected in judicial reasoning and courtroom practices.
(News Diary)
