Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

University of Nigeria, Nigeria

Title: Women's Leadership Begins with Safety: Insights from Sexual Harassment and Safeguarding Interventions in Nigeria

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Biography

Recent high profile incidents in Nigeria have intensified scrutiny on sexual harassment and gender based violence, exposing the deep systemic barriers that undermine women’s safety and limit their access to leadership. Public allegations involving senior officials, alongside persistent cases within educational institutions and workplaces, demonstrate that sexual harassment is not merely a private harm but a governance challenge that restricts women’s participation in political, economic, and social life.

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of three pivotal safeguarding interventions led by the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), illustrating the complex relationship between gender based violence and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. Particular attention is given to the politically sensitive case of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, who has accused the Senate President of sexual harassment. The paper also reviews emerging legal frameworks and judicial precedents shaping Nigeria’s evolving response to sexual harassment.

Findings show that although public awareness and advocacy have increased, accountability mechanisms and access to justice remain weak. Safe, confidential reporting systems are scarce, and where they exist, they often fail to address entrenched power imbalances, stigma, and fear, especially among students and young women who lack trust in institutional responses.

To drive meaningful change, the paper argues for a shift from reactive responses to a comprehensive, prevention oriented safeguarding framework. This includes strengthening institutional accountability, integrating survivor centered reporting and support mechanisms, and cultivating leadership cultures that reject impunity. Creating safe, inclusive environments is essential for enabling women to lead without fear of harassment or retaliation.

In conclusion, sustainable progress in advancing women’s leadership in Nigeria depends on a collective commitment to transforming socio political and institutional cultures. Prioritizing women’s safety and dignity is foundational to unlocking their leadership potential. The paper calls for coordinated action by government, civil society, and educational institutions to implement policies that safeguard women’s rights and foster environments where women can thrive and lead.

Abstract

Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, OON, is a distinguished legal scholar, human rights advocate, and Emeritus Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria. A globally recognized expert on the rights of women and children, she served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (2008–2014), and was appointed in 2023 as an Expert Member of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan. She is the founder of the Women Aid Collective and the Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre, pioneering initiatives that have shaped gender justice and survivor support in Nigeria. Professor Ezeilo introduced the pioneering course Women, Children and the Law in Nigerian universities and has developed influential policies on human rights and sexual harassment. Her outstanding contributions earned numerous national and international honours, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the National Human Rights Award, and recognition by the BBC as one of the world's 100 most influential women.