About AWLA
AWLA (Nigeria Chapter) is non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-governmental and professional organization for African Women Lawyers in Nigeria.
A non-governmental, non-profit, non-sectarian, professional organization of women lawyers in Nigeria and Africa generally.
Our Objectives are to promote the principles and aims of the African union, the United Nations, African commission on human and people’s rights, African charter on the rights and welfare of the child; enhance the legal status of women and children; share information, increase capacity, and lobby for gender equality through legislative reforms. To also strengthen existing legal frame works, networking between African women lawyers, increase the involvement of women in power and in decision making.
About AWLA
AWLA (Nigeria Chapter) is non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-governmental and professional organization for African Women Lawyers in Nigeria
Our Objectives are to promote the principles and aims of the African union, the United Nations, African commission on human and people’s rights, African charter on the rights and welfare of the child; enhance the legal status of women and children; share information, increase capacity, and lobby for gender equality through legislative reforms. To also strengthen existing legal frame works, networking between African women lawyers, increase the involvement of women in power and in decision making.
History of AWLA Nigeria
Background
The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA ) Nigeria was formed after a strategic meeting organised by Women Advocates in 2003. This was to further the organization’s response to promote and enhance the status of the African woman on the continent, encourage networking among African women lawyers, and present a uniform voice in articulating the African woman’s peculiar concerns at the United Nations and other international fora.
The first Annual Lecture was The Role of Female Lawyers in Nation Building by Chief Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, keynote address was by Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
The 2nd Annual Lecture was on the Challenges of Widowhood in Africa, delivered by Dr Adekemi Adekile of the University of Lagos, Faculty of Law in 2007.
The 3rd was on Legal Implications of Information Technology: Youths & The Society by Barr Adekunle Tuyo on December 22nd, 2008.
The 4th Annual Lecture on December 8th, 2009 was Gender Gaps in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, given by Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa.
The 5th Annual Lecture was by Hon. Justice Oke of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Women As Agents For Peace in Africa, held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja in 2012.
In August 2015, the Annual General Conference was held in Abuja. At the conference, for the very first time, the Association had an exhibition stand, and over five hundred female lawyers from different states in the federation registered as members.
In November 2016, the 16 days of Activism were marked with a walk to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja, where issues of gender parity and gender equality were discussed. As part of the activities marking the days of activism, Legal Clinic was also held under the bridge in Ikeja and at the AWLA Secretariat, Ojuelegba, where free legal counselling was given to the public.
Since its inception in 2003 till date, AWLA Nigeria has
- Organised activities to create awareness, a symposium on juvenile justice and the rights of the African child.
- Made courtesy visits to some chambers.
- Visited the Female Prison at Kirikiri-Lagos and made donations.
- Visited Modupe Cole Home for the Physically Challenged,
- Visited and made donations to Home for Motherless Babies
- Visited Idi-Araba Bolster Home and Boys’ Remand Home at Oregun, Lagos.
- Organised market outreach programmes at the Alade and Tejuoso markets in Lagos to mark the International Women’s Day
- Offered Pro bono services to men and women.
- Collaborated with other NGOs to organise enlightenment programmes on elections and political participation of women.
AWLA is currently head-quartered at No. 13, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos state. AWLA has its branch offices in Ogun state, Rivers state, Enugu state, Abuja, Imo state, Edo state, Kwara state, Ekiti state, Bauchi state, Gombe state, Anambra state, Abia state, Delta state, Plateau and Kebbi. Its membership consists mainly of women lawyers in Nigeria; Nigerian women lawyers in the Diaspora; and African women lawyers anywhere in the world.
Our Vision
Promotion, Preservation and Protection of the rights and interest of Women and children in Nigeria/Africa
Our Mission
- Ensuring a society free from Abuse and indignity of Women and Children.
- Building of a viable Women Lawyers advancement towards creating a sustainable and
democratic development in Nigeria/Africa.
History of AWLA Nigeria
Background
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria is a not for profit, non-governmental, non-religious and non-political organization established in 2015 with its head-quarters at No. 13, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos state. AWLA has its branch offices in Ogun state, Rivers state, Enugu state, Abuja, Imo state, Edo state, Kwara state, Ekiti state, Bauchi state, Gombe state, Anambra state, Abia state, Delta state, Plateau and Kebbi. Its membership consists mainly of women lawyers in Nigeria, Nigerian women Lawyers in Diaspora, African women lawyers anywhere in the world
Our Vision
Promotion, Preservation and Protection of the rights and interest of Women and children in Nigeria/Africa
Our Mission
Ensuring a society free from Abuse and indignity of Women and Children.
Key Milestones
Promulgation Of Law Against Domestic Violence, Sexual Harrassment, Child Abuse, Creation Of Help Centres, Probono Services, Raising Confident And Bold Children
Present Initiatives/Projects
Home For Abused Women And Children, Law Providing For Equitable Distribution Of Property At Divorce, Law On Child Support Mandating The Father Of A Child To Be Fully Or 75 Percent Responsible For Providing For His Child And Or Children.
What We Believe...
Children
Giving children a future filled with hope by assisting them in acquiring the knowledge and tools necessary to combat injustice and poverty will enable them to speak out for themselves and effect good change in their communities and the world.
Women
Women, as it should be, shape the world. Their power resides in their unlimited mind refusing to be restrained and their ability to embrace their emotional intelligence without worrying about being seen as "too sensitive".Their talent for empathy has the potential to alter the world.
Helping Hand
Working together gives us greater strength and expands our capacity. We are committed to cooperating for the safety and empowerment of women and children in a setting of trust, equity, and honesty.
Aims & Objectives
- To promote the principles and aims of the African union, the united nations, African commission on human and people’s rights, African charter on the rights and welfare of the child.
- To enhance the legal status of women and children; share information, increase capacity, and lobby for gender equality through legislative reforms, public education and advocacy.
- To strengthen existing legal frame works and networking between African women lawyers, like-minded
organizations and individuals throughout Nigeria/Africa. - increase the involvement of women in power and in decision making.
Aims & Objectives
To promote the principles and aims of the African union, the united nations, African commission on human and people’s rights, African charter on the rights and welfare of the child; enhance the legal status of women and children; share information, increase capacity, and lobby for gender equality through legislative reforms, public education, advocacy, strengthen existing legal frame works, networking between African women lawyers , increase the involvement of women in power and in decision making.
Target Market: Women and Children
Major achievements from inception to date
Sensitized Women and Children on Their Rights and Access to JusticeInfluenced the Domestication Of The Child Rights Act in various States of the federation influencing Law Reforms against female genital Women and women groups in thirty (30) districts were trained on Domestic Violence and other rights of women-through the District Assembly. Provided Open Fora for Discussions of All Matters Affecting Women and Children Trained the Police on Juvenile Justice: it entailed the Rights of children who had breached the law, their rights and how the International Law has provided for handling them AWLA trained the Police Service on Electoral laws for smooth and successful elections. Focus was to train them on the rights of women and children and on how to handle issues that were reported to them for help or redress.