Empowering Voices:

Championing Gender
Equality through Legal
Advocacy
Adeleresimi Philips-Adeleye
Empowering Voices:
Championing Gender Equality
through Legal Advocacy

A Report published by the American Bar

Association in November 2023 revealed
that:
• Although 53% of law students and 47% of
law firm associates are women, women are
only
• 22% of equity partners;
• 12% of managing partners;
• 28% of governing committee members; and
• 27% of practice group leaders.
Empowering Voices:
Championing Gender
Equality through Legal
Advocacy

An April 2023 report from the International Bar Association

(IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU), focused on
gender disparity in Nigeria’s legal profession, reveals:
• Women make up approximately 40% of all lawyers in
Nigeria
• The Public sector has the highest representation of
women in senior positions, with 61% of practitioners
being female
• The corporate sector has 55% of female practitioners in
senior positions
• Law firms have the second lowest number of women in
senior roles (43%)
• The judiciary (33%).
Empowering Voices: Championing Gender
Equality through Legal Advocacy
Empowering Voices:
Championing Gender Equality
through Legal Advocacy

• Despite the challenges faced by the

legal system, many have achieved
significant success.
• Women have been appointed as judges
in various courts in Nigeria, including
the Supreme Court.
• They have also been successful in
private practice, leading law firms and
winning high-profile cases.
Empoweri
Funke Adekoya, One
example of a successful
woman in Nigeria’s
legal profession is

ng Voices: Chief Folake Solanke,

SAN. In 1974, she
became the first female
Funke Adekoya (SAN)
and made history as the
first African woman

Championi Senior Advocate of

Nigeria, the highest
rank in the legal
appointed to the
London Court of
International

ng Gender
profession. Arbitration. She has
earned recognition for
her contributions to
international legal

Equality Justice Aloma Mariam

forums.

through
Mukhtar, who, in 2012, Funmi Falana, . Funmi
made history as Roberts, Doyin Rhodes
Nigeria’s first female Vivour, Abimbola
Chief Justice of Nigeria Akeredolu, SAN e.t.c

Legal (CJN).

Advocacy
Empowering Voices: Championing Gender
Equality through Legal Advocacy
• These women have fought the good fight to make room for the younger generation.
Including,
• Shattered glass ceiling and broken limitations to emerge as pioneers in their field
• Made it possible for younger women to have mentors and role models to look forward to
• Helped in closing the pay gap between male and female lawyers in Nigeria. Female lawyers used to
earn less on average than their male counterparts, despite having the same qualifications and
experience.
• However, there is still much to be done
• Women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, and gender bias and discrimination
continue to exist.
• Women continue to be plagued by Sexual harassment
• The legal system is demanding, and women still struggle with maintaining a work-life balance. The
list goes on and on…..
Empowering Voices:
• Now, the baton falls on us, on
Championing
Gender Equality you. What would you do with it?
through Legal • There’s good news and bad news
Advocacy • Good news – It is possible!
Reaching the peak of the legal
profession or any endeavor is
possible
• Bad News – It may not come easy.
No one will hand over anything to
you, just because you are a woman.
Empowering Voices: Championing Gender
Equality through Legal Advocacy

Immediate steps
What can you do? i. Read your books, set your priorities right
and stay focused
ii. Sharpen your skills, learn the ropes. We
need more competent women.
iii. Be visible; actively participate in legal
Get Involed! How? competitions, essay writing, debates, moot
and mock trials. By doing this you are not
only sharpening your skills and equipping
yourself for the future, you are also leaving
your footprints in the sands of time and
gaining visibility.
iv. Find guidance and support from
Empowering Long term
• Lobby for policies and legal reforms that promote
Voices: gender equality and protect women’s rights.
• Challenge discriminatory policies and practices
Championing in the legal field through litigation and advocacy.
• Conduct research and analysis on barriers to
Gender women’s participation and advancement in the
legal profession.
Equality • Collaborate with civil society organizations and

through women’s rights groups to launch advocacy

campaigns.

Legal • Engage with male colleagues and allies to build

support and promote gender-sensitive practices in
Advocacy the legal profession.
 • You can make meaningful progress
Empowering
towards our collective goal of ensuring
Voices: full and equal participation in the legal
Championing profession
• Let’s break through cultural
Gender stereotypes that limit our opportunities
Equality and define our role as homemakers.
through “Life doesn’t always give us what we
deserve, but rather, what we demand. And
Legal so you must continue to push harder than
any other person in the room.””
Advocacy
Empowering Voices: Championing Gender
Equality through Legal Advocacy

Thank you