The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) officially launched its highly anticipated International Conference on Tuesday in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The event, convened at the Azalai Hotel De La Plage Atlantic in Quartier Ganhi, brought together legal professionals, policymakers, activists, and advocates from across Africa.
Opening the Conference, AWLA President, Mandy Demechi-Asagba delivered remarks highlighting the historic importance of the gathering, which she described as a milestone in the fight for women's empowerment in legal systems. She emphasised the association's long-standing mission to protect and promote the rights and welfare of women and children across Africa.
The theme of this year's conference, "From Margins to Mainstream: The African Woman in Unfettered Sustainable Development", resonates deeply throughout the opening ceremony. Delegates heard calls for stronger legal frameworks, equitable opportunities, and inclusive governance as critical tools to lift African women from the periphery into central roles in sustainable development.
In her address, Demechi-Asagba urged participants to seize this platform to push for structural reform in national jurisdictions, to enshrine women's rights. She stated that for sustainable development to succeed, women's legal rights, economic participation, and leadership must no longer be treated as ancillary issues, but as core priorities.
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The Conference was also graced by leading figures from across the continent, including senior AWLA officials, country representatives, and guest speakers. Their presence underscored the cross-border importance of the event, reinforcing AWLA's mission to create a unified network of African women Lawyers capable of influencing both regional and global policy.
One of the highlights of the opening session was a keynote speech on sustainable development and gender justice which was delivered by Amina Mohamed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, who argued that "women must not just participate, but lead" in the formulation and implementation of policies that aim to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
During the ceremony, attendees were invited to reflect on the challenges African women face such as limited access to justice, discrimination, and underrepresentation and to envision bold strategies for integrating women fully into legal, political, and economic systems. Several breakout workshop leaders encouraged delegates to think of concrete next steps, such as mentorship schemes, legal-aid networks, and advocacy campaigns.
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In closing her opening remarks, President Demechi-Asagba called on the Nigerian governments to improve security in girls schools and ensure that the Kebbi abducted girls return home to their loved ones. She also called on civil society and international partners, to invest in women-centred legal reforms. She emphasised that AWLA stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to build a future where African women are not marginalised, but mainstreamed in sustainable development. The ceremony closed to warm applause, setting an optimistic tone for the days ahead.
The women also agreed to send a strong letter of protest and demand to the Nigerian Government, to do something about girls child rights and security.
