Federal Government and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have agreed to strengthen collaboration on women’s leadership, child protection and access to justice for vulnerable Nigerians.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the call recently when the 33rd President of the NBA, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, and members of the association’s executive paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the partnership was necessary to ensure that laws and policies protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups were effectively implemented across the country.

She identified the NBA as a critical accountability partner in translating legal instruments, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act, into practical protection at the state, local government and community levels.

She urged the NBA to support the ministry in strengthening Nigeria’s child protection system, including adoption procedures, orphanage regulations and guidelines for childcare facilities.

The minister also called for improved access to justice through the establishment and effective operation of family courts, particularly at the local and community levels.

She said vulnerable persons, children and the less privileged should not be denied justice because of gaps in the legal system or lack of access to appropriate institutions.

On women’s participation in leadership, Sulaiman-Ibrahim congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her election, describing her emergence as an inspiration to Nigerian women and girls.

The Minister said the advancement of women required the support of both men and women, commending male members of the NBA who supported the association’s first female president.

Badejo-Okusanya, on her part assured the minister of the NBA’s support for the ministry’s initiatives.

She said the NBA, as a key stakeholder in government policy, had a responsibility to provide legal backing for programmes affecting Nigerians.

The NBA president said the association would collaborate with the ministry on women’s advancement, child protection, access to justice and legal reforms.

She expressed concern over cases involving vulnerable children who were subjected to inappropriate legal processes, including instances where children linked to insurgency-related cases were arrested and charged as adults. (The Sun)