Judge urges end to practices fuelling violence against women

Judge Urges End to Practices Fuelling Violence Against Women

A Federal Capital Territory High Court judge, Justice Angela Otaluka, has called for the abolition of cultural and societal practices that enable or encourage violence against women across Nigeria's diverse communities. This call was made during a keynote address at the commemoration of International Women's Day 2026 in Abuja.

The event, organised by the United Nations Gender Theme Group Nigeria and partners, focused on advancing fairness, inclusion, and accountability within Nigeria's justice delivery institutions. Otaluka highlighted the need to close the justice gap for women and girls, eliminate impunity for Gender-Based Violence, and build institutions anchored on fairness, dignity, and equality.

Despite progress in law reform and institutional development, many women and girls in Nigeria still face barriers in accessing justice and obtaining timely and effective legal remedies. Otaluka noted that entrenched cultural norms discourage reporting of abuse, while economic dependence limits victims' ability to pursue legal remedies and secure justice through formal systems effectively.

Justice Angela Otaluka's call to action highlights a pressing issue in Nigeria's justice system. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, is a key milestone, but persistent gaps in implementation nationwide underscore the need for systemic change. The Nigerian government must take concrete steps to address the entrenched cultural norms that discourage reporting of abuse and limit victims' access to justice. This includes increasing funding for gender-sensitive training for justice sector actors and implementing effective policies to support survivors of Gender-Based Violence. Ultimately, a gender-responsive justice system is crucial for advancing fairness, inclusion, and accountability in Nigeria.