Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), Women in Politics Forum (WiPF), Yiaga Africa Initiative, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and 100 Women Lobby Group, yesterday, marked the first anniversary of the victory gained by Nigerian women through the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

NWTF President, Mufuliat Fijabi, told The Guardian that the journey began in 2019 when the forum called for collaboration on the litigation, after which eight organisations joined the suit as plaintiffs. She noted that the case was first heard on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and 16 months after, they got judgment.

Fijabi added that the landmark judgment upheld and mandated the implementation of the provisions of the National Gender Policy (2006) on 35 per cent affirmative action in appointive positions.

The court also upheld the equality of the sexes and the constitutional mandate to recognise gender in all appointive positions. Affirmative action means that Nigerian women are entitled to 35 per cent of resources or employment/appointment in line with democratic ethos.

She regretted that though the victory was widely celebrated by all, they were shocked when the matter was appealed by the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ), Abuja, in July, last year, in contradiction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s acceptance of the judgment through the Ministry of Women Affairs at the world press conference on April 14, 2022.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Fijabi demanded the MoJ to withdraw its appeal and allow Nigerian women enjoy the dividend of democracy as equal citizens of Nigeria. They called on the outgoing government to put value where value belongs and follow through with the implementation as demanded by the judgment.

“We call on him (incoming president) to set up implementation framework for the enforcement of this landmark judgment, and that all positions in parastatals, agencies and ministerial appointments to henceforth be in compliance with the National Gender Policy.”

They also urged the 10th Assembly to acknowledge that women are equal citizens, whose rights deserve to be honoured by passing all gender-related bills before the ninth National Assembly, adding that they need to intensify advocacy for inclusivity in the country at all levels, especially as the last general elections threw up fewer women. 

She added: “We will continue to celebrate and make our marks as women in all fields and are grateful always to Falana and Falanas Chamber, which provided pro bono support for litigation, local and international media, whose interventions contributed to making this day possible. The media has relentlessly stood by Nigerian women on this journey. Truly, the media is the purveyor of our democracy and we thank you.”