BREAKOUT SESSION: Thirty Years After Beijing
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference 2025 in Enugu featured a pivotal breakout session titled “Thirty Years After Beijing,” revisiting the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration on gender equality. The session brought together a distinguished panel of experts to assess the progress made, identify persistent challenges, and explore pathways for advancing women’s rights in Nigeria and globally.
Panelists:
- Gill Lever OBE—British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, with extensive diplomatic experience in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- Beatrice Eyong—UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, bringing over 35 years of experience in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
- Prof. Obijiofor Aginam—Director of UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, specializing in international law, global health governance, and human rights.
- Prof. Ebenezer Durojaye – Acting Director of the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, with expertise in international human rights law, socio-economic rights, and gender equality.
- Aisha Yesufu – Nigerian activist and co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, renowned for her advocacy in promoting women’s rights and social justice.
- Mr. Ugochukwu Ogbonna – Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializing in religious and cultural studies, with a focus on gender equality and social justice.
Session Highlights:
- Progress and Persistent Gaps: While significant strides have been made in women’s participation in politics, law, and education, structural barriers such as gender-based discrimination, cultural stereotypes, and weak enforcement of gender-sensitive laws continue to impede full participation.
- Role of Advocacy and Solidarity: Women’s rights movements and advocacy have been central to progress since Beijing. However, lack of unity and mentorship among women often slows collective advancement, reducing the effectiveness of advocacy and representation.
Recommendations:
- Strengthening Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Governments and professional bodies should prioritise the enforcement of gender equality laws and adopt affirmative action policies. Institutional reforms should create enabling environments for women’s participation in leadership, business, and governance.
- Promoting Advocacy, Mentorship, and Solidarity: Civil society, academia, and professional groups should deepen advocacy efforts through campaigns, mentorship programs, and collaborative platforms. Women leaders must champion solidarity by uplifting and mentoring younger women, ensuring continuity in the movement for equality.
Conclusion:
The session concluded that thirty years after Beijing, the journey towards gender equality is ongoing. To achieve the vision of the Declaration, deliberate reforms, stronger institutions, and collective solidarity among women are essential. The call remains clear: women must stand united, challenge systemic barriers, and continue to shape a more inclusive and just society.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
NBA: Stella Charles Akupue | Stella.Akupue@nigerianbar.org.ng | +234 803 388 8791
UNICEF: Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe | ionuohaogwe@unicef.org | +234 803 535 1254
This session reaffirmed that women will always stand out and stand tall when allowed to lead.
Note: The above content is a synthesized summary based on the provided information and available sources.
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