ECOWAS Court pledges to protect women’s rights through effective justice delivery

Africa, Cityscope, Investigation

Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) —March 10, 2026 — The ECOWAS Court of Justice has pledged its commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of women and girls across the West African sub-region through effective justice delivery.

President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, made the pledge at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the ECOWAS Court’s Women’s Forum on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which is celebrated on March 8 yearly, was sub-themed: “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence Now.”

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“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.

“We pledge to continue taking actions through our judgments, our outreach programmes, and our collaborative partnerships with member states and other stakeholders, to be able to build a region where justice and protection of the rights of women and girls is not an aspiration but a lived reality.

“At the ECOWAS Court of Justice, we recognise that the protection of women and girls’ rights within the ECOWAS space is central to the advancement of justice, upholding human dignity, fostering inclusive development, and strengthening our community,” he said.

According to him, the event’s sub-theme resonates deeply with the mission of the court and the past strides it has made in advancing the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights across West Africa.

He said this year’s global theme: “Rights, Justice,  Action For All Women and Girls,” was a reminder that women are both participants in the pursuit and pillars of strength within the court.

The court’s president said that the giant strides made by the court over the years reflected the court’s unwavering belief that the rights of women and girls must be protected, and justice must serve all without distinction.

Gonçalves, represented by Mrs Marie Saine, the Court’s Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, stressed that protecting the rights of women and girls within the ECOWAS sub-region was central to justice advancement.

“Through our jurisprudence, we have upheld fundamental rights of women and girls, challenged discrimination, and provided remedies for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and inequality.

“These groundbreaking decisions have not only delivered justice to individuals but also set important legal precedents that reinforce the dignity and protection of women and girls throughout the region.

“They have also contributed to the development of regional human rights jurisprudence, influenced national policies, and triggered cultural and legal reforms,” he said.

He maintained that justice must be accessible and action must be taken to ensure that every woman and girl in West Africa can live free from discrimination and all forms of gender-based violence and be empowered to contribute fully to society.

According to him, gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights, but also a barrier to equality, justice, and sustainable development.