The ECOWAS Court of Justice has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls across West Africa through effective justice delivery.
Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, President of the Court, made the pledge at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Court’s Women’s Forum. The event, celebrated annually on March 8, was sub-themed: “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence Now.”
“As we celebrate our women and their invaluable contributions to the achievements of the court, we also reaffirm our collective commitment to delivering justice, advancing the rule of law, ending violence and discrimination, and creating a future where every woman and girl in the ECOWAS region can thrive in safety and dignity,” Gonçalves said.
He added: “We pledge to continue taking action through our judgments, our outreach programmes and our collaborative partnerships with member states and other stakeholders to build a region where justice and the protection of the rights of women and girls are not an aspiration but a lived reality.”
Represented by Mrs Marie Saine, the Court’s Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, Gonçalves stressed that protecting women and girls’ rights is central to advancing justice. “Through our jurisprudence, we have upheld fundamental rights, challenged discrimination and provided remedies for victims of sexual and gender-based violence,” he said.
Justice Dupe Atoki emphasised that women’s rights are not privileges but fundamental human rights that must be respected and fulfilled. “Justice must be accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities faced by women and girls. Discrimination and violence against women and girls cannot be tolerated,” she said.
Dr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, called for collective action to ensure that “violence against women is met not with a shrug, but with the full weight of the law.” He added: “Let us break the silence, demand justice and take bold action because the rights of women are the rights of humanity, and the dignity of women is the dignity of us all.”
Mrs Oluwatosin Nguher, President of the ECOWAS Court Women’s Forum, described the event as a call to accelerate gender parity. “Let us move beyond recognition to responsibility, beyond discussion to decisive action. Together, through unity, awareness and deliberate action, we can ensure that rights are protected, justice is accessible and opportunities are equitable for all women and girls across the region,” she said. -(NAN)
Source: PM News