GOODWILL MESSAGE BY HON. JUSTICE KUDIRAT M.O. KEKERE-EKUN, GCON, THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA AND PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JUDGES NIGERIA (NAWJN) ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN JUDGES, 2025
On this significant occasion of International Day of Women Judges 2025, I stand in solidarity with women across the world, particularly with my esteemed colleagues in the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and, more specifically, the National Association of Women Judges Nigeria (NAWJN), to reaffirm our collective commitment to the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
This year’s theme, “Resilience: Women in Leadership to End Gender-Based Violence and Femicide,” is both timely and compelling, as it underscores the urgent need for decisive action to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and the growing scourge of femicide.
Despite the remarkable strides made in advancing gender equality, the prevalence of violence against women and girls remains a global crisis. Recent statistics paint a grim reality—nearly one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and globally, about 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed in 2023, with 140 women and girls dying every day at the hands of their partners or close relatives(1). These are not just numbers—they represent shattered lives, broken families, and communities left in despair.
Yet, amidst these challenges, there is hope. There is resilience. There is power in women’s leadership. Research has shown that when women hold leadership positions in governance, policymaking, and the judiciary, they prioritize gender-sensitive policies, champion legal reforms, and advocate for stronger protections against gender-based violence. This is why the presence of women in leadership is not a symbolic necessity but an urgent imperative.
However, it is not enough for women to simply occupy leadership spaces; we must utilize these platforms boldly, intentionally, and effectively. As judges, policymakers, law enforcement officers, and advocates, we have a duty to ensure accountability for perpetrators of gender-based violence, strengthen legal frameworks, and eliminate barriers to justice for victims.
The Judiciary plays a pivotal role in this fight, and I call upon my colleagues on the Bench and members of the Bar to continue driving justice system reforms that protect women and ensure swift and effective legal redress for victims of violence.
Beyond the courts, multi-sectoral collaboration is essential. Governments, civil society, legal practitioners, and international organizations must work together to strengthen institutions, enforce laws without bias, and challenge the cultural and societal norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. Education and economic empowerment are also crucial tools in breaking the cycle of violence and inequality.
I have no doubt that the IAWJ has been at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging its network to advance gender justice, mentor young female legal professionals, and advocate for policy changes that protect the most vulnerable in our societies. I commend the Association’s unwavering commitment and urge us all to remain relentless in the pursuit of a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.
As we commemorate International Day of Women Judges 2025, let us remember the words of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female President of Liberia and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate:
"We must target and reform the justice and social systems that have left women to the wolves, and we must harness the indirect, outsize force that politically and economically empowered women can bring to bear against violence."
Let us harness our collective strength to break cycles of violence, demand accountability, and champion meaningful change. The time for resilience is now. The time for leadership is now. The time for action is now.
Happy International Day of Women Judges!
Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON
Chief Justice of Nigeria
President, National Association of Women Judges Nigeria (NAWJN)
(1) “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides”, a report published by UN Women and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on 25 November, 2024 - Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides accessed on 06 March, 2025.