The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has reiterated its steadfast dedication to safeguarding the rights of women and children throughout the region. The Court highlighted its reliance on robust legal frameworks, landmark judgments, and sustained initiatives to address pressing issues such as gender-based violence, child marriage, and systemic discrimination.
Speaking at a public sensitization forum held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, Mrs. Marie Saine, the Court’s **Registrar of Judicial Records, Archives, and Publications, underscored the critical importance of protecting these rights to foster inclusive development and uphold human dignity in West Africa.
“Women and children continue to endure significant adversities, including gender-based violence, child marriage, discrimination, and restricted access to opportunities,” Saine remarked.
She further emphasized that the Court’s mandate is anchored in key legal instruments, such as: The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Maputo Protocol, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, various United Nations treaties ratified by ECOWAS member states.
Additionally, she noted the 2015 ECOWAS Supplementary Act on Equality of Rights Between Women and Men and the ECOWAS Child Policy and Strategic Action Plan (2019–2030) as pivotal regional policy frameworks reinforcing these efforts.