The ECOWAS Court of Justice has reaffirmed its determination to safeguard the rights of women and girls throughout West Africa by strengthening access to justice and enforcing legal protections.
President of the court, Ricardo Gonçalves, made the commitment during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the ECOWAS Court Women’s Forum in Abuja.
The event, observed globally on March 8, was held under the sub-theme: “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence Now.”
Gonçalves said the occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate women’s contributions to the court while reinforcing the institution’s resolve to uphold justice, promote the rule of law and eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls across the region.
He added that the court would continue to pursue these goals through its judgments, outreach initiatives and partnerships with member states and other stakeholders to ensure that women and girls in the ECOWAS region live in safety and dignity.
According to him, the protection of women’s rights remains central to the court’s mission of strengthening justice, promoting human dignity and supporting inclusive development within the regional community.
He noted that the global theme for the 2026 celebration, “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” highlights the dual role of women as both advocates for justice and vital contributors to institutional progress.
Represented by the court’s Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, Mrs Marie Saine, Gonçalves said the court had consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls through landmark decisions that challenge discrimination and provide remedies for victims of gender-based violence.
He explained that these rulings have not only delivered justice to individuals but have also established important legal precedents that strengthen the protection and dignity of women across the region.
He added that such decisions have contributed to the development of regional human rights jurisprudence, influenced national policies and encouraged legal and cultural reforms.
The court president stressed that justice must remain accessible to all, urging stakeholders to ensure that women and girls across West Africa can live free from discrimination and gender-based violence while participating fully in social and economic development.
He noted that gender-based violence remains a serious violation of human rights and a major obstacle to equality and sustainable development.
“Many survivors remain silent due to stigma, fear or lack of support, but it is time to transform silence into action and ensure justice is delivered,” he said.
Also speaking, Dupe Atoki emphasised that the rights of women and girls are fundamental human rights that must be respected, protected and fulfilled at all times.
She acknowledged that while progress has been made globally, many women and girls still face barriers that limit their opportunities, silence their voices and prevent their full participation in society.
Atoki stressed that courts and legal institutions must ensure justice systems are accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities faced by women.
Delivering a keynote address, Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, described the ECOWAS Court as a vital institution promoting accountability and human rights in the sub-region.
Represented by Mrs Ngozi Okorie, Director of the commission’s Women and Children Department, he called for collective action by governments, institutions and civil society to ensure that violence against women is confronted with the full force of the law.
Ojukwu also urged stakeholders to reassure women and girls that their voices matter and that justice systems are ready to respond to their concerns.
He encouraged renewed commitment to building a society where women can live free from violence, pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to development.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, President of the ECOWAS Court Women’s Forum, Mrs Oluwatosin Nguher, described the event as a call for stronger action toward achieving gender equality across all sectors of society.
She said the occasion also recognised women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements while drawing attention to the persistent challenge of gender-based violence.
Nguher warned that such violence undermines human dignity, weakens institutions and disrupts communities, stressing that silence only perpetuates injustice while decisive action restores hope.
She urged participants to move beyond dialogue to concrete action by promoting respect, accountability and equal opportunities for women and girls across the region.