The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has urged female lawyers across the country to reject token gestures and boldly assert their rightful place in the legal profession and broader society.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association Women’s Forum (NBAWF) Annual Conference in Abuja, themed “From Promise to Action: Achieving Gender Parity for Lasting Change,” Osigwe emphasized the need for deliberate steps to close the gender gap.
“A woman with a voice is a strong woman,” Osigwe stated, encouraging women not just to find their voices but to use them confidently to contribute to national progress. He warned that settling for symbolic representation weakens the fight for gender equality.
“We can talk about the lack of gender parity, but only intentional action will bridge the gap between men and women in the legal field,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the impact of the conference, Osigwe noted, “I am confident that the discussions here will go beyond words, driving meaningful change to ensure women assume their rightful positions within the legal system and society.”
The NBAWF Annual Conference gathered female lawyers, legal professionals, and stakeholders to tackle gender disparities and promote systemic reforms. The theme underscores the importance of moving from commitments to tangible outcomes, especially in securing equal opportunities and leadership roles for women in law.
