The United Nations has called for urgent measures to remove the financial, social and institutional barriers preventing women and girls from accessing justice in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of “The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria” in Abuja on Friday, Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said many women face daunting challenges when seeking accountability through the justice system.
The anthology documents the experiences of women who have navigated Nigeria’s legal system in pursuit of justice and accountability. The event, held at the United Nations House in Abuja, was organised by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation in collaboration with UN Women and the Ford Foundation as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026.
Attafuah said the publication highlights the human realities behind policy debates on justice, noting that survivors of violence often face significant financial burdens, including transportation costs, medical reports, legal representation and repeated court appearances.
“These expenses can make the pursuit of justice extremely difficult, particularly for women already experiencing economic hardship,” she said.
She also pointed to the lengthy and complex nature of legal processes, explaining that court cases can take months or even years to conclude. During such periods, survivors may face pressure from family members or their communities to withdraw complaints or reconcile with alleged perpetrators.
Beyond financial constraints, Attafuah said many victims encounter stigma, victim-blaming and societal pressure to remain silent when they seek justice.
She stressed that access to justice remains central to global development efforts, particularly under United Nations frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16, which focus on gender equality and building inclusive institutions.
Attafuah reaffirmed the commitment of the UN system in Nigeria to collaborate with government agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen legal frameworks, expand support services for survivors and promote social norms that protect the rights and dignity of women and girls.
Also speaking at the event, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the anthology sheds light on persistent barriers women face when seeking justice, particularly survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
According to her, despite progress in legal reforms and public awareness campaigns, many women still struggle with financial constraints, stigma and limited access to legal assistance.
Eyong noted that the publication captures both the challenges and resilience of women pursuing justice, stressing that justice systems must not only enforce laws but also protect the dignity of survivors and enable them to seek accountability without fear or hardship.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief State Counsel at the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Habiba Ajanah-Hamza, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to justice for survivors.
She said the ministry is working to strengthen coordination among institutions responsible for addressing gender-based violence, improve investigation and prosecution processes, and ensure victims are treated with dignity and sensitivity throughout legal proceedings.
Ajanah-Hamza added that achieving meaningful access to justice requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, legal practitioners and the media.
Participants at the launch emphasised that the stories captured in the anthology should serve as a call to action for stakeholders to work collectively toward building a justice system that guarantees protection, accountability and dignity for every woman and girl in Nigeria.
