The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has called for stronger regional action to combat gender-based violence and ensure justice for women and girls across West Africa, warning that many victims continue to suffer in silence.
Gonçalves made the call in Abuja during the court’s celebration of International Women’s Day organised by the ECJ Women Forum under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” with a sub-theme urging stakeholders to “Break the Silence: End Gender-Based Violence Now.”
He was represented at the event by the Acting Deputy Registrar of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Mrs. Marie Sanie.
According to him, the protection of women’s rights remains central to the court’s mandate of advancing the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental human rights across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Gonçalves said the court has played a key role through its judgments in challenging discrimination, addressing sexual and gender-based violence and providing remedies for victims across the region.
“These groundbreaking decisions have not only delivered justice to individuals but have also set important legal precedents that reinforce the dignity and protection of women and girls throughout the region,” he said.
Among the landmark rulings highlighted were the 2008 case of Hadijatou Mani Koraou v Republic of Niger, which addressed slavery practices in Niger, and the 2017 case of Dorothy Chioma Njemanze & 3 Ors v Federal Republic of Nigeria, which condemned discrimination and degrading treatment against women.
Other notable cases cited include WARDC & IHRDA (Mary Sunday) v Federal Republic of Nigeria on domestic violence; WAVES & 1 Or v Republic of Sierra Leone on discrimination based on pregnancy; Adama Vandi v Republic of Sierra Leone on rape and the failure to provide effective remedy for victims; and Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) & 2 Ors v Republic of Sierra Leone concerning female genital mutilation.
Gonçalves stressed that gender-based violence remains a major obstacle to equality, justice and sustainable development across the region.
“Too often, survivors suffer in silence due to stigma, fear or lack of support to seek justice. Today we affirm that silence must end and justice must be translated into action,” he said.
The court president also expressed concern over the low level of compliance with the court’s judgments by member states, revealing that only about 20 per cent of the court’s decisions have been fully implemented.
He warned that the low enforcement rate could undermine the authority and credibility of the regional court if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
To tackle the challenge, Gonçalves disclosed that the court recently conducted bilateral engagement missions to several member states, including Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea-Conakry, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
He explained that the missions were aimed at encouraging governments to implement the court’s decisions and fulfil their treaty obligations.
Gonçalves also noted that the court regularly undertakes awareness and outreach programmes across member states to educate citizens on how to access the court and seek redress for human rights violations.
He emphasised that justice can only be fully realised when citizens are aware of their rights and governments ensure that court judgments are respected and implemented.
While acknowledging the contributions of women working within the ECOWAS Court, he said challenges remain in achieving greater representation of women in leadership positions and creating supportive work environments that promote work-life balance.
Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed the court’s commitment to strengthening legal protections for women and girls across the region.
“As we celebrate the achievements of women today, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering justice, advancing the rule of law and building a region where every woman and girl can live in safety and dignity,” he said.
In her remarks, the Patron of the ECJ Women Forum, Justice Dupe Atoki, also called for stronger commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, stressing that legal protections must translate into tangible justice and equality.
Atoki made the call during the International Women’s Day celebration at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, where officials, diplomats and legal practitioners gathered to discuss the role of justice systems in safeguarding women’s rights across West Africa.
Speaking on the global theme for this year’s commemoration, she said the message served as both a reminder and a call to responsibility for governments, institutions and society at large.
She emphasised that the rights of women and girls must be recognised as fundamental human rights rather than privileges granted at convenience.
“The emphasis on rights reminds us that the rights of women and girls are not privileges to be granted at convenience, but fundamental human rights that must be respected, protected and fulfilled,” she said.
Atoki noted that justice systems have a critical responsibility in addressing discrimination, violence and exclusion against women, adding that courts and legal institutions must remain accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities women face.
She said effective justice mechanisms are essential to ensure that laws protecting women are properly enforced and that perpetrators of abuse are held accountable.
“The call for justice highlights the vital role of laws, institutions and courts in safeguarding equality and dignity. Justice must be accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities faced by women and girls,” she stated.
Atoki also stressed that achieving gender equality requires more than declarations and commitments, noting that deliberate action is necessary to dismantle structural barriers that hinder the progress of women and girls.
She urged governments, civil society organisations and legal institutions across the region to work together to strengthen access to justice and ensure that gender equality becomes a lived reality for women and girls in West Africa.
